06/09/2010

Irish Firms Seek Investment In Russia

Some 30 Irish firms are making their way to Russia as part of a trade mission to Russia.

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher, is leading the sortie, which is expected to last up to a week.

The firms are from a range of sectors including engineering, construction, food and drink, education and business services. Half of the companies are in the information communications technology (ICT) and services sectors.

The trade mission has been organised by the Government’s indigenous job creation agency, Enterprise Ireland, to coincide with President Mary McAleese’s visit to Russia.

Ireland is the seventh largest provider of foreign direct investment to Russia ahead of the US and Japan and Irish exports to the country grew by over 66 per cent in the first five months of this year.

Speaking this morning ahead of the trip, Minister Kelleher described the trade mission as "an important opportunity to showcase Irish firms and generate new business opportunities".

"Russia is a significant trading partner for Ireland and the country’s continued economic development has resulted in a wide range of business and commercial opportunities for Irish firms," he said.

The minister added: "We want to give Irish firms opportunities to strengthen their business links with Russia and help new market-entrants to land their first breakthrough sale there."

According to Mr Kelleher, Ireland and Russia have similar national research and development goals with a strong focus on funding research in nanotechnology, life science and ICT.

A separate event is being organised for the Irish higher education sector to build contacts with Russian colleges through Education Ireland.

(DW/KMcA)

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