The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D. launched Enterprise Ireland’s programme of trade missions and international activity for 2013.

The announcement took place in The Now Factory, an innovative exporting Irish telecommunications company which has benefited from participation on recent trade missions and secured major overseas contracts, and most recently travelled to Texas on the trade mission of 40 companies led by Minister Bruton.

Delivering an intensive programme of Ministerial-led trade missions is a key commitment in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2013. The number of ministerial-led Enterprise Ireland trade missions has more than doubled over the past two years, up from eight in 2011 and 16 in 2012. 2013 will see Enterprise Ireland embark on a record number of ministerial-led trade missions with an increased focus on high growth economies in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

Over 1,000 Enterprise Ireland client companies will take part in 18 Ministerial-led trade missions and 87 international events during the year in major target markets in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. These trade missions and events are a central part of Enterprise Ireland’s drive to support Irish companies seeking to exploit international business opportunities, target and secure new international customers and grow their sales. These activities are key to helping companies build their export markets, creating and sustaining much-needed jobs in Ireland.

Marking the launch of the programme Kevin Sherry, Head of International Sales and Partnering at Enterprise Ireland said:
“Exports create and sustain jobs in Ireland. Exporting Irish companies support more than 300,000 jobs across every county in Ireland and are vital to growth and recovery in the Irish economy. The programme of events we have put in place is designed to build on export growth in markets where Irish companies are strong, and open doors for increased export opportunities and collaborative business ventures in new high-growth markets.  Ministerial-led trade missions are of enormous benefit in opening doors and creating high-level access to international buyers and decision-makers around the world. We are confident that further growth and business success will result from this programme of trade missions and international activities”.

The range of Enterprise Ireland events planned for 2013 includes Inward Buyer airlifts, study visits, trade fairs, Embassy events and knowledge seminars.

Full programme available at:
http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Events/OurEvents/Enterprise-Ireland-Programme-of-Overseas-Events-2013.pdf