Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 239: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of participants that accompanied the recent trade mission that were from County Kildare; the efforts or means that his Department uses to ensure that the widest areas of intent are facilitated on such trade missions; his plans for further trade missions in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6914/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

From 14 to 19 January 2007, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, led Enterprise Ireland's very successful trade mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was accompanied by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin; Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan, Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin, and a total of 114 Irish companies.

Four of the participating companies that accompanied the recent trade mission were from County Kildare. These were Ash Technologies, Ashbourne Meat Processors, Doyle Engineering and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.

Potential participants on any Enterprise Ireland organised trade event are canvassed in advance to ascertain their interest in becoming involved. The canvass is based on existing exporters to that particular market; potential exporters identified by Enterprise Ireland and companies which Enterprise Ireland has previously worked with, in the market. Organisations such as the Chambers of Commerce, County Enterprise Boards, Irish Exporters Association and bodies such as Bord Bia and BIM may also be approached, where appropriate, to ascertain their interest and that of their members in participation. For the Gulf mission, a web site was also created for potential participants, which outlined details of the Trade Mission and the procedures involved. Given the criteria as set out above, this overall process is not, obviously, undertaken on a county-by-county basis.

Further Ministerial Trade Missions are planned by Enterprise Ireland for the first half of this year to Croatia, Pakistan, Singapore/ Malaysia, Czech Republic/Hungary, UK, and Spain. The programme for later on in the year has not yet been finalised.

Enterprise Ireland will organize over 100 different events globally in 2007 promoting Irish companies internationally, of which these Ministerial led Trade Missions are an integral part.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 240: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage increase he envisages in regard to imports and exports from and to the countries visited in the most recent trade mission as a result of the contacts made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6915/07]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

From 14th to 19th January 2007, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, led Enterprise Ireland's trade mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was accompanied by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin; Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan and Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin. The mission visited Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The mission involved a total of 114 Irish companies, organisations and educational institutions, primarily involved in the ICT, Educational Services, Environmental/ Engineering Services, Medical Devices and Food and Drinks sectors. Over 1,200 meetings took place between the Irish participants and their potential and existing customers.

Initial estimates from companies and organisations participating in the mission, place the value of agreements reached at €65 million over the next 12 to 36 months. In addition to these specific agreements reached and, also, for the longer term, we would envisage a steady increase in the level of trade between Ireland and these countries. The exact rate of increase for the future is not possible to estimate at this stage.

Drawing a direct one-to-one correlation between trade missions and their impact on exports or imports in the short or long term, is obviously extremely difficult. The objectives of participants can vary in nature, as some will be at different stages of export development.

Ireland has a very significant trade surplus with both Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. so in relation to imports from there, it is likely, given the very low level of imports at present, that the pattern will be upwards. While is not possible to make firm predictions, the pattern has been that the improved linkages and business contacts generated in export promotion, can also lead to an expansion in imports from those countries also.

Trade Missions are an important activity in overall export promotion strategy in Ireland and they play a key part of strategic business development in other industrialised countries. It should be noted that such missions are not simply focussed on developing trade but are now increasingly creating opportunities over a range of business areas — creating linkages and building contacts and networks that will produce benefits over the very long term.