Minister Costello leads Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Rome

The Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D., will lead a trade mission to the Italian capital on Wednesday 17^th and Thursday 18^th October to boost trade between the two countries, help Irish companies grow their export sales and create jobs in Ireland. 

The trade mission will leverage Enterprise Ireland’s network of key business contacts, decision makers and potential customers at 6 different events, aimed at assisting Irish companies in strategic sectors such as Food and Nutrition, Life Science, Financial Services, IT for Travel and Engineering.  The Minister will meet with a wide cross-section of existing and potential Italian business clients at an Irish Embassy Reception at the Villa Spada.

The trade mission will also capitalise on the success stories of Irish firms and expertise, highlighting the potential of the Italian market as well as creating awareness in Italy of the capabilities that Irish companies possess.

Italy is Ireland’s 9^th largest merchandise trading partner with bilateral trade valued at €3.77bn in 2011. Exports (principally of pharmaceutical products, organic chemicals, office machinery) accounted for the bulk of this figure at just under €3bn. Services trade between Ireland and Italy is valued at €6.98bn (2011). The balance of services trade was also in Ireland’s favour with exports (insurance, computer services, financial services) making up €4.6bn. of that total.

The visit is being organised in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Embassy of Ireland in Rome. 

Speaking before his visit Minister Costello said:

“Italy is a priority country in the Government’s Trade Strategy.  Our warm bilateral relationship has been built up over many years with a wide range of personal contacts.  This mission is about cementing and building on these existing links and opening new doors for increased export business and collaborative business ventures.  Innovative, export-focused Irish firms already operating in the Italian market have raised awareness of the quality and high-tech nature of products and services Irish firms offer.  We are going to capitalise on that awareness, working to increase the trade that our companies do with their Italian partners for the benefit of Irish commercial interests and, most importantly, for the benefit of Irish jobs.  I want to stress that jobs remain at the top of this government’s agenda. 

I am pleased to note that this is another example of my Department and the Embassy network working very closely with Enterprise Ireland on these type of trade missions to our priority markets.”