Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the steps he and the agencies under his aegis will take to increase trade with Brazil, Russia, India and China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13894/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government is fully committed to developing and expanding engagement with the key high potential markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China, as these countries are very promising destinations for the sale of Irish goods and services. The agreed Programme for Government sets out clearly that Ireland's economic recovery must be export-led. That Programme commits us to achieve the maximum growth in exports, including the long-term development of new markets. In addition, the Government has given a commitment to progressively implement the recommendations in the strategy and action plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, entitled Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy which will inter alia, position Ireland to develop better trade relationships with emerging economies.

That Strategy takes a two-pronged approach, focussing on particular markets and sectors. In terms of markets, it identifies potential to further grow our existing key markets – and, most particularly, to increase or gain a foothold in high-growth and high-potential markets, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China. The targets agreed by the relevant State Agencies – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland - are to be implemented through a suite of actions driven by a new Trade Council.

Key instruments to pursue trade expansion are, of course, Trade Missions and over the last five years, Taoiseach-led Trade Missions have been organised to China and India and several other Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to China, India, Russia and Brazil. I myself led a Trade Mission to India in April last, with 22 Enterprise Ireland client companies participating, where I officiated on a successful programme of events to promote our exports to that country.

A further indicator of commitment is the fact that the Department of Foreign Affairs has expanded its network of Embassies and Consulates in some of those countries and Enterprise Ireland has opened new offices to facilitate Irish companies developing export opportunities there. In addition, Enterprise Ireland has a dedicated High Growth Markets Unit in Dublin to provide further assistance to client companies doing business in a range of countries, including Brazil, Russia, India and China.

My own Department is engaged in the promotion of Ireland's trade interests through for example, the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements between the EU and third countries. A Free Trade Agreement is now under negotiation with India and another with South Korea comes into effect on 1 July this year. I also place a particular emphasis on promoting less restrictive global trade arrangements by means of the current round of world trade talks at the World Trade Organisation and developing new opportunities for exporters by reductions in tariff and non tariff barriers through trade and regulatory discussions between the EU and China, Russia, Brazil and the United States.

All the efforts have borne considerable fruit. Between 2005 and 2010, Merchandise exports to these countries have risen 73% and between 2004 and 2009 (latest available year). Services exports have risen by 622% . A key example of this success is the fact that Ireland now has a modest 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.