08/08/2012

Minister Meets Canada's International Trade Minister In London

The Minister of State for Trade, Joe Costello, T.D., has met his Canadian counterpart, the Honourable Edward Fast, Minister for International Trade in London.

Discussing the bilateral trade relationship, Minister Costello commented that:

"Irish indigenous company exports to Canada have grown substantially in the last five years with Irish technology companies doing particularly well in Canada's financial services, telecoms and life sciences sectors."

Both Ministers agreed that while the relationship was strong, there were greater opportunities to be availed of, particularly when the Canada- EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is finalised. Minister Costello reiterated Ireland’s support for securing an ambitious CETA deal.

"With studies showing that further liberalisation of the EU-Canada trade relationship could facilitate an expansion of two-way trade by some €25 billion, the benefits of an ambitious and comprehensive economic agreement between two major transatlantic economies are too important to forego, especially when international trade is an important stimulus to our growth objectives."

Both ministers also discussed wider bilateral relations. Recalling the strength of the Irish diaspora in Canada, Minister Costello outlined the plans in place for The Gathering in 2013 and expressed the hope that we would be welcoming a large contingent from Canada.

(CD/GK)

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