Minister Bruton leads 3-day trade mission of 30 Irish companies to Canada as 20% increase in exports targeted

25 meetings on Enterprise Ireland programme targets increase in exports and jobs in Irish companies

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, departs today (Wednesday) to lead an Enterprise Ireland trade mission of 30 Irish companies to Canada. The objectives of the trade mission are to boost trade between the two countries, and help Irish companies grow their export sales and create jobs in Ireland.

Exports to Canada by Enterprise Ireland clients rose by 19% to €224m in 2011. Significantly, it is hoped that exports for 2012 will increase by a further 20%.

A total of 30 companies are travelling with the Minister, in sectors including mobile, telecoms and financial software, infrastructure, business process outsourcing, agri-tech, consumer products, food and beverage and education services.

Participating companies range from innovative high-growth start-ups with less than €1million turnover and fewer than 5 employees, to €2billion companies employing over 3000 people globally.

Minister Bruton will participate in a total of 25 meetings and engagements over the three-day trade mission (see full programme below), including:

·        17 meetings and events with Irish exporting companies targeting the Canadian market, Canadian companies who may offer opportunities to them, as well as other Irish and Canadian business leaders in targeted sectors
·        4 interviews with Canadian media, including the largest-circulation national newspaper the Globe and Mail, as part of the ongoing plan by the Government to rebuild Ireland’s reputation abroad
·        3 meetings with Canadian politicians, including the Canadian Minister for Finance, as part of a programme to improve opportunities for Irish companies, as well as discussing other issues

Speaking before his departure Minister Bruton said:

“At the heart of the Government’s plan for jobs and growth is our ambition to create a powerful engine of indigenous enterprise. We must not only continue to grow jobs in multinational companies, but we must also support ambitious Irish companies seeking to grow their exports and jobs.

“Through the Action Plan for Jobs we are implementing a range of changes this year to provide better supports for Irish companies who are determined to continue growing their exports and creating new jobs, including the establishment of a Potential Exporters Division in Enterprise Ireland and a series of tax changes in the Budget to make it easier to place staff in overseas markets. The ongoing intensive programme of trade missions is a part of this plan, and my hope is that through the series of meetings that we hold this week, Irish companies will be in a position to strike deals with Canadian companies and grow their exports to this important market”.

“Our trade relationship with Canada, which is a priority market under the Government’s Trade Strategy, is already very strong. Innovative and export-focused Irish firms already operating successfully in Canada have raised awareness of the quality and high-tech nature of products and services Irish firms offer. This mission is about cementing and building on these existing links and opening new doors for increased export business and ultimately jobs”.

Enterprise Ireland’s CEO Frank Ryan, who is accompanying Minister Bruton on the trade mission added:

‘Over 220 Irish companies are selling goods and services into Canada spanning a wide range of sectors including telecoms, financial services and consumer retail. Exports create and sustain jobs in Ireland. The expected 20% growth in exports to Canada by Enterprise Ireland client companies in 2012 clearly demonstrates that there are significant, tangible opportunities for increased trade and partnerships between Irish and Canadian companies. We are confident that further growth and business successes will result from this trade mission.’