Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Each year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland 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.

In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led trade missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represent the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These missions have focused on 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.

My Department is currently working closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland with a view to developing a Ministerial-led trade mission programme for 2024. Consideration of the programme is still ongoing, and no final decisions have been made. However, there are currently no plans to have a trade mission to West Coast USA in the first quarter of 2024. In the meantime, my Department will continue to work closely with its agencies to identify opportunities to help Irish companies access new markets and increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland.