Written answers

Thursday, 9 December 2021

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Trade Missions

Photo of Alan FarrellAlan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his recent trade mission to the Gulf region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60677/21]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ministerial-led trade missions support the Government’s major drive towards market diversification and export growth. In mid November, I led a 5 day trade mission to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The trade mission was organised by Enterprise Ireland and saw participation by 60 Irish companies and organisations. This was the largest outbound trade mission from Ireland since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and had a particular focus on promoting Irish excellence in Education, Healthcare, ICT, Agritech, Equine Solutions, Infrastructure Solutions and Aviation and included trade engagements in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, UAE.

While in Saudi Arabia, I visited EI clients, had speaking engagements and attended two receptions in the Embassy of Ireland, Riyadh. I also had a series of bilateral meetings with the Saudi Arabian Ministers of Industry and Commerce, and Trade and Investment, and the Ministry of Transport, along with meetings with the Saudi Arabian Central Back and GACA, the Saudi Arabian Civil Aviation Authority.

The Dubai leg of the trade mission coincided with Enterprise Ireland’s participation in the Dubai Air Show together with 15 Irish companies, and was organised to complement Ireland’s participation in EXPO 2020 and our programme of cultural events, including the performance residency of Riverdance during November.

While in Dubai I had business engagements, attended a Trade Mission Networking Reception in the Irish Pavilion at EXPO2020 and took part in an event to promote Ireland as a premier location for English language study. I was also interviewed during the Tolerance & Inclusivity Thematic Business Forum for a Spotlight event in relation to Ireland's ongoing work in promoting Gender Equality in the Workplace.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.