Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the results of his recent visit to India; the contracts signed or trade agreements concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4102/06]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the outcome of his recent trade mission to India; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4064/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 169 together.

This was by far the largest trade mission from Ireland to have ever visited India, and, in accordance with the Government's Asia strategy, it was an important step in a structured programme designed to bring Ireland and India closer together. The mission to India visited three key business centres — Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. A total of 85 Irish companies, industry associations and organisations participated and a total of 120 business executives from these bodies travelled as delegates. The companies were from a broad range of sectors, from software and IT, through industrial products and services and education services to food and beverages. Significantly, 12 companies from Northern Ireland also participated and representatives from Invest Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry were also present.

The companies on the mission participated in more than 500 business meetings in the three cities. Most of the companies involved were making their first visit to India and Enterprise Ireland undertook to set up and manage individual itineraries for more than 50 of the Irish companies. In addition to setting up individual schedules, Enterprise Ireland organised three major networking lunches, one in each city. A total of 700 people attended these lunch events. Also, a number of group meetings were set up with leading Indian companies to give EI client companies access to high level connections within these companies, which they can later follow up. Separate events were organised by Enterprise Ireland for the education sector participants in Bangalore and in Delhi.

Eight Enterprise Ireland client companies signed contracts during the mission and 20 education sector partnership contracts, between Irish higher education institutions and their local equivalents, were also signed. It is estimated that these partnerships and contracts will generate an increase in revenue from India of the order of €35 million over the next three years. In addition, three of the Northern Ireland companies signed contracts or partnerships with Indian businesses.

A number of other stakeholders used the mission to initiate partnerships with their opposite numbers and clients. Examples include the signature of various agreements between the Irish Software Association, the Irish Biotech Association and the Irish Exporters Association, with their counterpart organisations in India.

The Taoiseach and I also used the mission to meet privately with a number of senior business leaders and it is likely that some of these executives will make exploratory business visits to Ireland in the coming months. During the mission, the Taoiseach announced that it had been decided that Enterprise Ireland is to establish an office in India to better service the needs of Irish companies in that market. I signed a bilateral science and technology co-operation agreement on behalf of my Department with the Indian Minister for Science and Technology. In addition, Science Foundation Ireland signed an agreement with the Indian Science Academy.