Minister Departs On Four-Day Trade Mission

The Minister for Small Business, John Perry TD, will today depart on a four-day trade mission with 25 innovative Irish companies to the Czech Republic and with 37 companies to Poland.

Over the course of the four-day programme organised by Enterprise Ireland, the Minister will attend 16 trade events, business meetings and corporate networking events in Prague and Warsaw.

The objective of the trade mission is to raise Ireland's profile with key business and Government contacts in the region. The trade mission will seek to promote the capabilities of Irish companies in the Engineering, Electronics and Software sectors to multinational companies based in the Czech Republic and Poland. Minister Perry will witness signings of important contracts by 11 Irish companies with Czech and Polish companies, and meet Irish business communities in both countries.

Companies travelling on the trade mission include high-growth start-ups and medium-sized Irish companies in sectors including ICT, high-tech manufacturing, construction and financial services.

Minister Perry said: "Poland and the Czech Republic are key target markets for Irish companies operating in the ICT, high-tech manufacturing, construction and financial services sectors. As the economies in these markets continue to grow, so too do the opportunities for Irish companies to deepen their involvement in these markets and win new business.

"At the heart of the Government’s plan for jobs and growth is an ambition to create a powerful engine of indigenous enterprise. As part of the transition to a new economy based on enterprise, innovation and exports, this Government is actively supporting ambitious Irish companies seeking to grow their exports and jobs. The ongoing programme of trade missions led by Enterprise Ireland is a part of this plan. I am confident that through the intensive series of meetings planned for the next four days, we will help to open doors and capitalise on opportunities for these innovative and ambitious companies, helping them grow their export sales and create and sustain jobs in Ireland."

With a population of 10.5m, and a large multinational industrial sector, the Czech Republic is an important target market for Irish companies targeting the automotive, engineering, electronics, ICT and business services sectors. Many Irish companies have established a sales presence in the Czech Republic and use it as a base to also target Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and other CEE countries. Exports of Irish-owned companies to the Czech Republic increased by 65% over the past five years to nearly €50m in 2012, while total exports from Ireland to Czech Republic exceed €600m.

(CD)