The Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., has begun an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Australia, leading 18 innovative, exporting Irish construction and engineering companies in an effort to boost trade between the two countries.

Minister Deenihan will visit both Perth and Brisbane during the four-day mission, organised by Enterprise Ireland in cooperation with the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra and Consulate in Sydney. He will have a series of high-level meetings with business organisations in addition to Irish companies and their Australian partners and customers.

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The 18 Irish companies participating in the trade mission are from the construction, engineering and software and services sectors, where there are significant opportunities in Australia and strong growth potential.

The visit comes at a good time for Irish companies seeking new opportunities in Australia. Enterprise Ireland client companies are now exporting goods and services worth almost €300 million annually to the Australian market, which is the largest in the Asia Pacific region and the ninth largest market for Enterprise Ireland client companies.

Minister Deenihan said:

“Australia offers a wealth of opportunity for Irish exporters. I am looking forward to highlighting the strong commercial relationship between Ireland and Australia and to raising awareness of Ireland as source of world-class products and services. 

“Trade missions are critical to strengthening existing links and opening new doors for increased exports and collaborative business ventures. They are key to supporting Irish companies as they seek to grow, increase their exports and open new markets. Growth in trade and investment resulting from trade missions supports jobs in Ireland, and is a central element of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy and the Action Plan for Jobs. 

“As Minister for the Diaspora, I very much look forward to engaging with key Irish business people based in Australia who have a strong track record of experience and engagement in the market. The Australian market presents strong growth opportunities for Irish companies and this visit is about helping them tap that potential.”

In addition to the Enterprise Ireland trade mission, the Minister has been meeting with members of the Irish community in Australia. In Perth the Minister will also officially open the new Honorary Consulate of Ireland for Western Australia, which will provide services to Irish citizens in the region.