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Minister Sherlock leads Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Switzerland

Irish companies target growing export opportunities

Minister for Research and Innovation, Séan Sherlock TD, is today (Wednesday) departing for Switzerland to lead a three-day Enterprise Ireland trade mission to develop business links and increase Irish exports. The trade mission will involve 65 Irish companies across a range of sectors, with the key focus on Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Engineering, Construction, ICT and Financial Services.

The trade mission includes the main business cities of Geneva, Basel and Zurich, where Minister Sherlock will have a series of high level business engagements supporting the Irish companies’ drive to increase exports in this market. The intense schedule will also incorporate expert speaker seminars, Swiss-Irish business networking events, meetings with major Swiss corporations and research institutions and meetings with Irish and Swiss companies.

Speaking before his departure Minister Sherlock said: “This trade mission is about creating new Irish jobs and supporting existing ones by increasing Ireland’s exports. Initiatives to drive export-led growth are a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. This has included doubling the number of Enterprise Ireland trade missions to countries where Irish companies can significantly develop their export sales or open up new business. Switzerland is a very important market for Irish companies. The country has experienced consistently strong economic growth and is home to many Fortune 500 companies”.

“I am confident that this week’s mission will further increase business for Irish companies and ultimately help grow their employment at home”’, he added.

Over 200 Irish owned companies are already successfully doing business in Switzerland offering a wealth of innovative products and services to the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices, ICT, Construction, Engineering and NGO sectors. Growth figures for exports from Irish indigenous companies are particularly impressive, with over 50% growth in their exports to Switzerland in the last three years.

Niall O’Donnellan, Divisional Manager with Enterprise Ireland, who is accompanying Minister Sherlock on the mission, added: ‘Enterprise Ireland trade missions, 18 of which are being undertaken this year, are all about helping our client companies grow their exports sales, sustaining and creating new jobs throughout Ireland. The intensive series of meetings and events that are part of every trade mission continue to play a critical role in supporting Irish companies grow their international business. I am delighted that the Irish Business Network in Switzerland is involved in a number of the mission events. This Irish Government led initiative was set up in 2009 in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Switzerland to connect Irish in Switzerland and Swiss with Irish interests. The organisation now has over 350 members across Switzerland’.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Enterprise Ireland is the Government agency responsible for the development and internationalisation of Irish enterprises. Its main aim is to boost exports and the creation of export-led jobs. Enterprise Ireland has 30 offices worldwide to help Irish firms develop overseas markets.

Each year, Enterprise Ireland organises a series of targeted international Trade Missions, market visits, participation in international trade fairs and a large number of international buyer visits to Ireland focussed on assisting Irish firms target and securing international contracts and overseas partners. Enterprise Ireland works directly with Irish firms to help them start up, develop their businesses, build competitiveness and