Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department works closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to identify opportunities to help Irish companies access new markets and increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland.

Each year the two agencies prepare a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment, and showcasing opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of high-quality jobs and regional development throughout Ireland.

Asia Pacific is a key focus of Ministerial-led trade missions, along with the Eurozone and North America, representing as they do the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. A priority for these missions is promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in a range of sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and life sciences.

The Ministerial-led trade mission programme for 2023 commenced with the Arab Health Expo in Dubai at the end of January. My Department will continue to work closely with its agencies in relation to the programme of trade missions and visits for the second half of 2023, and opportunities in the Asia Pacific region will be considered in that context.