Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the actions that he is taking to increase trade with Asia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24481/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's Asia Strategy, which ran for the ten years up to the end of 2009, was instrumental in developing Ireland's Trade and other links with the key Asian economies.

The success of the Asia Strategy has been striking. Exports to the eight countries has risen from €4bn in 1999 to €9.6bn in 2009, well ahead of the target of €9bn. The number of Irish companies with a presence in these countries has risen fivefold, from 54 to 272, well ahead of the target of 215.

In addition, growth has been achieved on other targets relating to Tourism, specialist food exports, developing inward student numbers, academic partnerships and a range of other links and developments. These outcomes, together with progress in wider awareness-raising, have been greatly assisted by focused 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 in China, India, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs has expanded their network of Embassies and Consulates in the region.

An example of our success is that Ireland now has a Trade surplus with China, a dramatic turnaround from the position only three years ago when we had a trade deficit of €2.9bn with that country.

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, as well as working with other relevant Departments and the development agencies to prepare a new Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. The new strategy will be broader in reach than the Asia Strategy, yet it will still be focused on key high growth emerging markets such as China, India, Japan, the Gulf States and Brazil, as well as on our existing key trading partners, and its aim will be to increase our engagement in these three key areas, with these exciting markets. The Strategy will boost our exports, tourism and investment performance and bring further focus and coherence to Ireland's single-minded pursuit of our international economic and commercial interests. It will be implemented by way of an Action Plan.

The Strategy and Action Plan will be completed by mid-year.