Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he is taking to ensure that exports here will increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2577/07]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent full year trade figures published by the Central Statistics Office show that the value of Irish merchandise exports for 2005 increased by 5% compared to 2004 and this followed a 3% rise the previous year. This increase of 5% in 2005 continues the upward trend in the value of exports, which, with the exception of the global economic slowdown which occurred around 2002, has been a feature of our export performance since the early 1990s. I am heartened by this continuous improvement in exports, against a difficult background of ongoing low growth rates in the US and the major European economies, in recent years. Figures for the full year 2006 are not yet available but for the 11 months to November, total exports are showing an increase of almost 3% over the same period in 2005, so the solid growth of recent years is being maintained.

The Irish Government is strongly supportive of Irish exporting firms working to increase their level of exports on world markets. My Department, through its agency, Enterprise Ireland, is active both nationally at the developmental level and, through promotional activities carried out from a range of locations abroad, in assisting Irish indigenous companies to find new markets for their products and to increase their existing level of market share. Through its network of 33 international offices, Enterprise Ireland create and implement successful strategies for market entry, development and growth in overseas markets. The activities of this network include—

Arranging access to international buyers and increasing in-market trade promotion activities,

Increasing the number of overseas missions, raising the level of participation at trade shows and increasing the number and quality of incoming buyers.

Seeking to ensure increased international media coverage of the range of product and service providers in Ireland and the benefits of doing business here,

Continuing to increase the number of incubation centres in key overseas markets, thus providing a low cost market mechanism for clients with strong potential.

In this work, close coordination is maintained with other export promotion organizations, such as An Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and non-governmental bodies such as the Irish Exporters Association. Enterprise Ireland is also assisted by our Irish Embassies abroad, in facilitating the development of export markets for Irish exporting companies. In addition, both myself and my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Michéal Martin, T.D., have been active in leading trade missions in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and we will continue to do so, to both existing long-established markets, to the new EU member states and also to Asia, with a view to increasing the share of exports by Irish companies worldwide. Last year, we led a total of 24 Trade Missions to various countries. Already this year, Minister Martin, accompanied the Taoiseach and other Government Ministers on the recent trade Mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A total of 114 companies participated in that mission and it is estimated that contracts to the value of €65 million will result.