merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny today launched Siopa.com, an online marketplace for speciality Irish goods, aimed at selling to overseas customers, especially to countries with a large Irish Diaspora such as the US.  Irish brands such as Waterford Crystal, Beleek and Galway Crystal, as well as products from Ireland's up-and-coming artisans will be available on the website.

One of the latest products is a range of special-edition Celtic-inspired jewellery to commemorate President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, the Taoiseach praised Siopa.com for its innovation and entrepreneurship:

This is a new export-led business that will provide a virtual shop window for Irish made crafts and goods targeted principally at the 40 million strong Irish-American audience in the US market. Siopa.com essentially provides a portal for Irish producers to sell Irish crafts, jewellery and other goods to a global, recession-weary online market.

At a time of serious economic challenges in this country, I believe that Siopa.com represents the very best of Irish innovation and entrepreneurship with the real potential to grow jobs and exports. It is companies like these: export-led and online focused, that have the potential to return to Ireland and its people a sense of pride, financial stability and hope for the future.

The Taoiseach went on to highlight some of the positive stories relating to exports:

Today’s launch of course also comes at a time when some reassuringly positive export figures are showing an expected increase in Irish exports of approximately 8 per cent, with 2010 reaching the highest level ever at over €160 billion in exports. These are the positive stories that the media often forget and I am glad to say that Siopa.com is just one of many out there today that Enterprise Ireland is supporting.

In conclusion, the Taoiseach said:

Besides hope, I believe that faith, a genuine belief and a confidence in ourselves, is central to our success. Let’s make Ireland a place that we are proud to live in, and a place where dynamic businesses have something seriously attractive to offer to the overseas customer.

Below you can listen to the audio of the Taoiseach's doorstep at the launch of Siopa.com. The Taoiseach discussed security measures for the upcoming State visits, the Pension Fund levy and debt forgiveness in relation to mortgage distress.

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