Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the proposals he has to engage in trade missions in 2011 with countries to develop business and employment opportunities for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6989/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of trade missions is to bring Irish businesses into direct contact with business opportunities abroad. Such missions have proven to be valuable supports to Irish businesses, in terms of establishing their credibility with and gaining access to the business community in the target market at the appropriate level. This is particularly the case in countries where government-to-government contacts are a prerequisite for doing business. These trade missions are an integral part of the work of relevant Government Departments and Agencies to develop and expand Ireland's exports to existing and new markets abroad. They raise Ireland's profile as a world–class supplier of goods and tradeable services and contribute to the generation of incremental sales to foreign markets over the long-term and they are the culmination of the success of our enterprise development policies on the ground.

Over the coming years, the potential of trade missions will be maximised by integrating trade, tourism and investment promotion activities, in line with the Government's strong commitment to export led growth and the development of new markets. It is intended to target sectors and countries where there is significant potential. I am leading a joint Enterprise Ireland and IDA trade mission to India and Saudi Arabia next week and am officiating at an Enterprise Ireland ICT event in London on the 14th April.

While full plans for the rest of 2011 have not yet been finalised, it is hoped to organise Ministerial-led trade missions to, inter alia, the UK, China, USA, South Africa and Qatar later this year.