Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Success in export markets is crucial to the long-term growth of Irish businesses and the Irish economy. Assistance for companies focused on growth through international sales is a priority for my Department and for our enterprise development Agencies.

A keen knowledge of the competitive and sometimes challenging environment in which Irish companies operate in is the key to successful export growth. Through its Market Research Centre, Enterprise Ireland, for example, utilises world class market research reports on behalf of its clients in order to prepare companies for their export journey, equipped with the latest data on trade and market entry requirements, in particular for non-EU markets.

Enterprise Ireland also have a programme of trade missions, trade fairs and knowledge events that give clients the opportunity to connect with existing and new customers, access key decision makers, increase sales in international markets and exchange ideas.

Global Ireland 2025 was launched in 2018 by Enterprise Ireland with the aim of doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025. In that regard, Enterprise Ireland has expanded its global presence through the opening of eight new offices internationally including in Third countries such as Montreal, Seattle, Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh City. These offices are being embedded into the Enterprise Ireland overseas network and will help to build new buyer relationships in markets where growth opportunities have been identified and where market entry challenges can be identified, including the practice of import substitution if it arises.

As far as my Department is concerned however the issue of import substitution has not been raised by clients of Enterprise Ireland although supply chain difficulties, currency fluctuations, and general inflation impacting competitiveness continue to cause difficulties for certain sectors. I also am informed that import substitution has not yet been raised as an issue by Irish companies or domestic stakeholders in our engagement with the relevant Market Access Advisory Committees in Brussels.