Major opportunities for Irish companies and Higher Educations Institutes in Ireland’s largest Latin America marketThe Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., will today (Friday 18th October 2013) lead a major Enterprise Ireland education and technology mission that includes 30 companies and education institutions to Brazil.
The mission, organised by Enterprise Ireland from October 19th to 25th will coincide with a major higher education fair in Sao Paulo and Futurecom, the largest Telecommunications, Information Technology and Internet event in Latin America. During that time Irish companies and Education Institutions will be working to increase Irish exports and deepen business and education links between Ireland and Brazil.
Speaking in advance of the visit, Minister Quinn said: “Jobs are an absolute top priority for this Government, and increasing our export activity with the countries that will dominate the global economy in the 21st Century, Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC economies) is a fundamental part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs.
“This market offers tremendous potential for Irish businesses. On the education front, Ireland has the opportunity to develop an unprecedented relationship with one of the world’s leading economies through the Science without Borders programme. This year more than 1,200 Brazilian students have come to study at Irish Higher Education Institutes as part of this scholarship scheme funded by the Brazilian government. Already this is significantly impacting on the Irish economy and could be worth up to €100 million over the coming five years.
“This trade mission now gives our Higher Education Institutes the chance to increase these numbers further. Likewise, for the participating technology companies, the mission is about cementing and building on existing business links and opening new doors for increased export business and collaborative business ventures.”
Jennifer Condon, Head of Internationally Traded Services and Software at Enterprise Ireland, described the mission as a very timely and exciting opportunity for Irish firms seeking to expand their global market presence.
“There are significant and realisable opportunities for increased trade and partnerships between Irish and Brazilian companies and education institutes. With an intense schedule of education and trade focussed activity, the mission will give the participants important networking opportunities with their Brazilian partners, and support for their market entry, development and sales strategies. We are confident that further growth and business success will come from this mission and will support our clients in every way possible to exploit this huge market,” she said.
The Minister’s schedule during the visit includes a series of meetings with the Brazilian Minister for Education, Aloízio Mercadante, the Science Without Borders funding agencies, meetings with Irish companies and their Brazilian partners and customers, and a range of events to promote Irish education and business.