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Tánaiste and Foreign Secretary launch the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D., together with British Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon, William Hague, M.P., launched the newly established British Irish Chamber of Commerce this evening at a reception in the offices of PWC on Spencer Dock.  

The Tánaiste, speaking to a business audience composed of representatives of some of the leading companies involved in trade and investment between these islands, said that the new Chamber could play a strong role in bringing British and Irish companies and individuals together to work for the mutual benefit of the two countries. He said that there was enormous value in the bilateral trade and business relationship, and potential for it to grow even further.

Foreign Secretary Hague, commenting that establishment of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce could not come at a more appropriate time, said ‘now more than ever both economies will be looking to trade and to the large number of jobs provided by the export industry’ and that ‘the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, along with Government organisations such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and UK Trade & Investment provide an ideal platform to encourage and support that potential.’

The Foreign Secretary emphasised that Ireland has been for many years, and will remain an ideal first market for exporters from the UK and likewise the UK an ideal first market for exporters from Ireland. The positive experience of British firms in Ireland encourages more companies to follow in their footsteps.

Mr. Fergal Naughton, Deputy Chief Executive of Glen Dimplex, and President of the Chamber, recognised the strong support from both Governments and the business community. He stated that ‘Ireland and Britain have good business environments that companies in each country should look to expand into.’  

The Tánaiste commended the Chamber’s President, Feargal Naughton, its CEO, Peter Byrne, and the Chamber’s founding companies for their work in establishing the Chamber. He reflected on the enormous value of the existing trade and business relationship between our two countries and the potential for it to grow even further.  The Tánaiste further reflected that both countries ‘must continue to work closely together in order to generate sustainable growth and to ensure that the right conditions for job creation and investment on our two islands are maintained’. 

The British Foreign Secretary is accompanying Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her historic state visit to Ireland.