Tánaiste chairs meeting of the Export Trade Council

The high potential of the Asia-Pacific and Americas regions for Irish exporters feature as the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade chairs meeting of the Export Trade Council

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., will chair the 15^th meeting of the Export Trade Council (ETC) this afternoon in Iveagh House.  The Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Pat Breen T.D. and a range of key export promotion stakeholders from state agencies and the private sector will attend the meeting.

On this occasion, the ETC will discuss the opportunities for Irish exporters in the Asia Pacific and Americas regions in the context of forthcoming whole-of-Government strategies for both regions. The meeting will also take note of progress in implementing the Ireland Connected trade strategy and review the activities of Local Market Teams in supporting trade and investment with Ireland in priority markets. 

After the plenary session, the Tánaiste and Minister of State for Trade Pat Breen will announce over €12 million in joint research funding supported through the partnership between Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Speaking before the meeting, the Tánaiste said: 

“I am delighted to host today’s meeting of the Export Trade Council. Today’s discussion is particularly timely in the context of our commitment to expand our diplomatic and agency presence across the world, and intensify our efforts to promote trade and investment.

The development of two new holistic strategies for Asia Pacific and the Americas, where we have a diverse range of relationships and interests, will provide a framework to grow our reach and influence in these regions, and take forward the ambitious objectives of Global Ireland 2025.

The meeting will also be a useful opportunity to review the good progress being made across the Team Ireland network in implementing the Government’s trade strategy and to take note of the excellent work being done by Local Market Teams in priority markets.”

ENDS

Press Office

27 June 2018

Note for Editors:

• The Export Trade Council (ETC) was established in 2011 to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and State agencies involved in the promotion and development of trade, tourism and investment, and the private sector. The Council is chaired by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and its membership includes the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation; the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport; and the Minister for Education and Skills. Other relevant Departments are represented at senior official level, while the heads of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, Science Foundation Ireland and Tourism Ireland are also members. The private sector is represented on the Council by IBEC and the Irish Exporters Association, as well as by a number of business people with a track record in relevant sectors.