Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he plans to develop or publish a new Asian strategy for trade to replace the current strategy which has since expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19264/10]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's Asia Strategy spanned ten years, from 1999 to 2009, and has been very successful in developing Ireland's Trade and other links with the key Asian economies.

Ireland's exports to the eight priority countries of the final phase of that Strategy rose very significantly, from €4 billion in 1999 to €9.6 billion in 2009, ahead of the target. We also achieved a five-fold increase in the number of Irish companies with a presence in those countries, from 54 at the start, to 267 in 2009, again ahead of target. In addition, substantial growth has been achieved on other targets relating to Tourism, specialist food exports, developing inward student numbers, academic partnerships and a range of others. These outcomes, together with progress in wider awareness-raising, have been greatly assisted by focussed high-level visits. Over the last five years, Taoiseach-led Trade Missions have been organised to China, India and Japan and other Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to China, India, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs has expanded their network of Embassies and Consulates in the region.

The Government is committed to developing and expanding this engagement, as the key Asian economies represent an exciting and continuously developing market for Irish goods and services. To this end and in response to the Smart Economy Framework, my Department is both reviewing the achievements of the Asia Strategy, and working with other relevant Departments and the development agencies to prepare a new Trade, Tourism and Investment Plan. The new Plan will focus on high growth markets such as China, Brazil, the Gulf States, India and Japan, as well as on our existing key trading partners such as the UK, the US and the Eurozone, and its aim will be to increase our economic engagement with these high- growth and high-potential markets. The Plan, which will be completed by mid-year, will boost our exports and investment performance and bring further focus and coherence to Ireland's single-minded pursuit of our international economic and commercial interests.