Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role of local market teams; the plans, if any, he has to extend these structures to other embassies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15884/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Following the launch of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, a list of 27 priority markets was identified based on the experience and expertise of stakeholders and State agencies on the ground. This was formally adopted at the first meeting of the Foreign Trade Council, now the Export Trade Council (ETC), on 27 October 2010. Local Market Teams were established in each priority market, headed by the Ambassador and also comprising representatives of the Embassy and relevant State agencies. Each Local Market Team is responsible for drawing up annual Local Market Plans, ensuring that there is a coordinated approach in these priority markets. The implementation of the plans is reviewed by the ETC, which has responsibility for overseeing the overall implementation of the Strategy and issuing guidance to Local Market Teams as necessary.In a review of the Strategy, led by my Department and published in February 2014, a new market approach was introduced in order to reflect the opportunities available in dynamic, rapidly developing economies not currently listed as priorities in the Strategy. The outcome of the new market approach was the creation of a new category of ‘Exploratory and High Potential Markets’.

While the Local Market Team structure is not at this time operating in the seven markets designated as Exploratory and High Potential Markets*, reports have been submitted to the ETC identifying trade, tourism, investment, and education opportunities. This approach reflects the different stage of development in the markets involved, as well as the scale of State agency representation on the ground. Depending on developments in relation to State agency representation in these markets, it may be appropriate to establish additional Local Markets Teams in the future.

In all instances, the Embassy network, in both priority and other markets, working in close cooperation with the State agencies, continues to play a crucial role in supporting Irish businesses seeking to grow overseas, including through the organisation and conduct of Ministerial-led Trade Missions.

* Turkey, Indonesia, Nigeria, Chile, Mexico, Vietnam and Thailand