Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the changes he has made in the seven months since he came to office to reorientate our foreign enterprise development services towards Brazil, Russia, India and China; and the changes that he will make in this regard in the next 12 months. [28886/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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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. 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, developed by my Department last year, which will, inter alia, position Ireland to develop better trade relationships with emerging economies. 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, China.

It must be appreciated that these four countries, collectively referred to as the BRIC countries, are a diverse group of markets at different stages of development and sophistication. Spread across different territories with differing cultures, languages, time zones and business styles and norms they present a number of additional challenges for companies seeking to do business in these markets.

Despite this, the enterprise development agencies, under the remit of my Department, are making progress in these countries. IDA Ireland has established a Growth Markets Division dedicated to the promotion of Ireland as an FDI destination from the BRIC countries, among others. And this year the Agency established second offices in both China (Shenzhen) and India (Bangalore). There is also experienced IDA representation in both Russia and Brazil. IDA has completed a promotional programme to Russia, with a second programme to be undertaken at the end of this month. The Agency has just completed a second promotional programme to Brazil this year.

Enterprise Ireland has identified and targeted a number of sectors and sub-sectors in each individual market that offer clear opportunities. It continues to work with its clients that have the expertise and experience to potentially win sales and grow exports in each market. In addition to the services supplied to clients by EI specialist Market Advisors in each market to drive export growth, EI has also established a High Growth Markets (HGM) team based in Dublin effectively giving an extended presence to each market back in Ireland and providing a local first point of contact for client companies in overcoming some of the challenges with regard to face-to-face interaction and time differences.

I, myself, led a Trade Mission to India in April last, with 22 Enterprise Ireland client companies participating, where I officiated over a successful programme of events to promote our exports to that country. Early next month, the Joint Economic Commission with Russia will be held.