Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to promote trade with South Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22263/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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South Africa is recognised as a priority market for Irish exports in the Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment, the implementation of which is being overseen by the Export Trade Council. This strategy's overall objective is to marshal and coordinate the resources of the State in a way that best supports firms, of all sizes, in all parts of the country, which are trying to trade and grow their business overseas. Implementation of that Strategy will result in the sustained, concentrated and coordinated efforts of all the key Government Departments and agencies, including our embassies and consulates abroad, in support of Irish companies in priority markets, including South Africa.

Over 150 Enterprise Ireland clients export to South Africa and the agency's priority this year is to assist clients to maintain and grow existing market share and encourage new exporters to enter the market. In recognition of the substantial growth in the region and existing significant activity by Irish companies, Enterprise Ireland opened its first South African office in Johannesburg in February 2012. Enterprise Ireland will also use this as a base to respond to market opportunities in other sub Saharan countries and will work with our diplomatic missions in Africa in this context. Budget 2012 introduced an innovative tax incentive, where an individual spends 60 days a year outside the country developing their export business into five key high-growth markets, including South Africa. This measure will support Ireland's export drive in South Africa and encourage efforts by multinational and indigenous firms seeking to expand their export business there.

A key instrument of the Government to pursue trade expansion is that of Trade Missions. As Minister for Trade and Development, in November 2011 Jan O'Sullivan TD led a Trade Mission to Johannesburg and Cape Town as part of a broad long term strategy to further develop trade links in the region. Later this year a further Ministerial led Trade Mission is planned for South Africa which will focus on the software and services sector. In September 2011, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Eamon Gilmore launched a strategy to improve trade and investment links with Africa. The Africa Strategy recognises South Africa as an increasingly important market for Irish exports and sets out a framework for Ireland's business, political and development relations with Africa over the coming years.