Minister Leads Trade And Investment Mission To Australia

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, has departed on a five-day, three-city trade and investment mission to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, jointly organised by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

This is Minister Bruton's 22nd trade/investment mission since taking office 42 months ago. As part of its strategy to support increased exports and jobs, this Government has more than doubled the number of trade missions since taking office. A total of 32 Irish companies from the financial services, e-learning, telecommunications and IT for Healthcare sectors are participating in the mission.

The five-day mission will involve more than 40 high-level meetings and events including:

• 23 meetings and events aimed at supporting increased exports by Irish companies to Australia, by facilitating contacts and enhanced relationships with local companies, organised by Enterprise Ireland.

• 7 one-on-one meetings with senior executives of Australian companies considering making investments in Ireland or expanding operations already here, arranged by IDA Ireland – including meetings with fast-growing Australian companies ACS and iM3.

• 6 one-on-one interviews with major Australian media outlets – broadcast and print – as part of the Government's campaign to communicate the story of Ireland's economic recovery abroad, help facilitate increased investment here and raise awareness of Ireland as a source of world-class, innovative products and services.

• 5 political meetings and events, including one-on-one meetings with the Australian Minister for Trade and Investment and the Minister for Employment. Minister Bruton will also attend Australian Federal Parliament Question Time.

(CD/JP)