Irish companies participating in this week’s Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the Czech Republic and Poland, led by Minister for Small Business, John Perry TD, have secured new contracts with a potential value of €17m and agreed significant business alliances across a range of sectors. The success of the trade mission underlines the growing opportunities for Irish companies in Central and Eastern Europe.
The trade mission involving 40 companies, which was primarily focussed on the Engineering, Electronics and Software sectors, was organised by Enterprise Ireland in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Embassies of Ireland in Prague and Warsaw. Minister Perry’s intensive four-day schedule included 16 trade events, business meetings and corporate networking events in Prague and Warsaw.
Minister Perry described the trade mission as very important in terms of deepening Ireland’s trade and economic ties in Central and Eastern Europe. Commenting at the end of the trade mission Minister Perry said:
‘This was a highly successful mission both in terms of business secured and in terms of the introductions and connections made. It is tremendously encouraging to see Irish companies winning new business in Central and Eastern Europe. Enterprise Ireland’s offices in the Czech Republic and Poland act as a hub for supporting Irish companies in growing their trade relationships and export sales in Central and Eastern Europe. My Department, the Embassy Network and Enterprise Ireland are working closely together to ensure that Irish exports to these important markets continue to grow – sustaining and creating jobs in Ireland.’
While in Prague, Minister Perry witnessed the signing of several business contracts. Over the next three to five years, these new deals with Czech partners are expected to bring additional revenues of over €13 million to Irish SMEs some of which includes the following companies:
3V Transaction Services, based in Dublin, supplier of mobile and innovative payment solutions.
Dublin-based BookAssist, the award-winning provider of booking technology and online marketing strategy to the hotel industry.
Waterford-based PPI Adhesive Products, research-driven producer of extensive range of technical self-adhesive tapes.
RealTime Technologies, based in Dublin, provider of high-tech services to multinational electronics industry.
On the second leg of the trade mission to Poland, contracts and alliances with an estimated value of almost €4m were agreed, some of which includes the following companies:
TEG (Technical Engineering Group) based in Mullingar, confirmed contracts worth €350,000 with pharmaceutical companies based in Poland. The contracts will see TEG providing high quality tooling for blistering machines at plants owned by Poland’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Market reaction to TEG offering in Poland has been very positive, and TEG anticipates further Polish market growth in the short to medium term, which will secure and grow employment at TEG in Ireland.
Mayo company Portwest confirmed significant contracts for their range of outdoor clothing and work-wear through Poland’s largest wholesale channels, and is developing a strong brand presence in the market.
Dublin-based Cylon, suppliers of BMS systems and Active Energy platforms enabling the reduction of energy consumption costs in buildings, and optimizing their energy profiles in the long term, have signed a contract with BCM Poland, for the supply of its solutions for a project with an international retail chain with stores in Poland and Russia.
Playprint, based in Dublin, has been exporting to Poland since 2004 and include companies such as Tesco, Obi, BP, Statoil, Lotos, McDonald and Unilever among its clients. The company’s core business is supplying retail chains, FMCG and their advertising agencies with innovative promotional games and traffic builders. During the trade mission Playprint announced €180,000 of new business in Poland for the supply of promotional games.
A+D Wejchert and Partners Architects - one of Ireland’s leading architectural firms with over 40 years experience in the sector - announced the opening of a new office in Warsaw which will operate under the name A&D Wejchert & Partnerzy Architekci and the launch of its Polish language website
www.adwejchert.pl
Kevin Sherry, Enterprise Ireland’s Head of International Sales and Partnering, who accompanied Minister Perry on the trade mission, commented:
‘The trade mission has been a significant success for Irish companies. They are carving out a strong reputation for Irish products and services, confirming that there are significant opportunities for increased trade and partnerships between Ireland and the Czech Republic and Poland. The market growth is in sectors where Enterprise Ireland’s client companies are strong performers including the Engineering, Electronics and Software sectors. Enterprise Ireland will continue to provide every support to Irish companies to secure more business in the region.’