Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress he has made in developing toolkits for Irish business trying to enter new markets as outlined in Trading and Investing on a Smart Economy; the requirements small businesses will have to meet to access the toolkits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41708/10]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The first meeting of the new Trade Council took place on 27 October last, as outlined in a reply by the Minister for Trade and Commerce to Parliamentary Question 40327 last week. The relevant Departments and State Agencies have, accordingly, commenced work on the implementation of the various actions set out in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy including that in relation to developing toolkits for Irish businesses trying to enter new markets.

Departments and agencies are currently engaged in building on the range of in-market supports already available to small businesses, to prepare country-specific intelligence on the identified priority markets, along with a simple tool for evaluating 'export preparedness'. When finalised, these exporter toolkits – consisting of printed materials, supplemented by online resources and personal contact – will be available to all interested small businesses.

Much of this material already exists, for example Enterprise Ireland already has a wide range of relevant documentation available for interested companies. What is envisaged is the provision of a more comprehensive 'toolkit', which will gather together all relevant information and advice and bring it together in a more accessible and useful format.

In addition to the toolkits being available from Agency Headquarters and local offices, the Department of Foreign Affairs will put in place arrangements to ensure that the toolkits will also be available through the network of Embassies and Consulates.