Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 14: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent trade mission to South Africa. [4054/08]

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

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, accompanied by myself, led an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to South Africa on what was by far the largest trade mission from Ireland to have ever visited that country. The visit also facilitated the Taoiseach's involvement in a range of aid-related activities elsewhere in the region.

The mission had a number of objectives, namely to assist Irish companies access the South African market at the highest levels; to help Irish companies develop their business in South Africa and investigate all elements of the market; to reinforce Ireland's commitment to working in partnership with South Africa at Government and business levels; to raise Ireland's profile as a world class supplier of goods and tradeable services, to increase awareness of Ireland, in particular Ireland's recent economic performance; to increase awareness of Ireland's Education system and the links being established between South Africa and Irish institutions; to highlight the progress made in recent years in the development of economic links between the two countries — and to further strengthen these ties.

Central Statistics Office figures for 2006, show that two-way trade between Ireland and South Africa was worth over €1.375 billion, with merchandise trade amounting to €500 million and services trade amounting to more than €875 million — and there is much scope for further growth.

Many of the companies that participated in the mission are small and medium sized firms seeking local partners to expand operations in the region. An aim of the visit was to support Irish companies to develop a presence in South Africa through trade, investment, partnership and other business linkages.

This mission saw 52 Enterprise Ireland supported firms form important links and partnerships in a region which has a population of 185 million people. Contracts to the value of €35 million will be realised, following the trade mission, by the Irish companies who participated. A total of ten significant agreements were signed during the visit. These include companies in a variety of sectors including food processing, software, telecommunications and power generation.

Over 400 one to one meetings were held over the 5 days. In addition Enterprise Ireland organised a detailed programme of visits, for ten of the participating companies, involving over 80 meetings.

Arising from the trade mission, invaluable publicity was gained by participating companies, with some 90 articles in the Irish media and some 50 articles appearing in African media.