Minister Joe Costello accompanies President Higgins on visit to South America

Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, T.D. will accompany President Michael D. Higgins on his official visit to South America. During the President’s programme in Chile, Brazil and Argentina, Minister Costello will use the opportunity to build on existing trade relations between Ireland and the three countries and will enhance opportunities for Irish businesses in the region. Speaking as he departed for Chile with the President today, Minister Costello said:

“I am looking forward to enhancing existing political and business relations between Ireland and Brazil, Chile and Argentina. South America is central to our engagement with key developing markets in order to increase trade opportunities for Ireland. This is vital for the Government’s efforts to increase export activity in line with the Government Trade Strategy and the Action Plan for Jobs. The visit is an excellent opportunity for us to enhance cooperation and business ties with these growing markets.  

Throughout the President’s visit, I will have meetings and networking engagements to promote Irish business interests and explore further opportunities in these key markets which are covered by our Embassies in Brasília and Buenos Aires. I will be starting the visit with a business networking event in Chile. As part of a comprehensive trade and education programme, with Enterprise Ireland, in Brazil, I will work on boosting trade and education links between the two countries. In Argentina, I will use the opportunity to develop further contacts for Ireland at an enterprise focused event and build on the historical connections between our countries.”