Enterprise Ireland-led programme aimed a growing exports to Central and
Eastern Europe (CEE)
The Minister for Small Business, John Perry TD, will today [Monday] depart
on a four-day trade mission with 25 innovative Irish companies to the Czech
Republic and with 37 companies to Poland. Over the course of the four-day
programme organised by Enterprise Ireland, the Minister will attend 16
trade events, business meetings and corporate networking events in Prague
and Warsaw.
The objective of the trade mission is to raise Ireland’s profile with key
business and Government contacts in the region. The trade mission will seek
to promote the capabilities of Irish companies in the Engineering,
Electronics and Software sectors to multinational companies based in the
Czech Republic and Poland. Minister Perry will witness signings of
important contracts by 11 Irish companies with Czech and Polish companies,
and meet Irish business communities in both countries.
Companies travelling on the trade mission include high-growth start-ups and
medium-sized Irish companies in sectors including ICT, high-tech
manufacturing, construction and financial services.
Speaking before his departure, Minister Perry said:
‘Poland and the Czech Republic are key target markets for Irish companies
operating in the ICT, high-tech manufacturing, construction and financial
services sectors. As the economies in these markets continue to grow, so
too do the opportunities for Irish companies to deepen their involvement in
these markets and win new business.
‘At the heart of the Government’s plan for jobs and growth is an ambition
to create a powerful engine of indigenous enterprise. As part of the
transition to a new economy based on enterprise, innovation and exports,
this Government is actively supporting ambitious Irish companies seeking to
grow their exports and jobs. The ongoing programme of trade missions led by
Enterprise Ireland is a part of this plan. I am confident that through the
intensive series of meetings planned for the next four days, we will help
to open doors and capitalise on opportunities for these innovative and
ambitious companies, helping them grow their export sales and create and
sustain jobs in Ireland’.
With a population of 10.5m, and a large multinational industrial sector,
the Czech Republic is an important target market for Irish companies
targeting the automotive, engineering, electronics, ICT and business
services sectors. Many Irish companies have established a sales presence in
the Czech Republic and use it as a base to also target Slovakia, Hungary,
Romania and other CEE countries. Exports of Irish-owned companies to the
Czech Republic increased by 65% over the past five years to nearly €50m in
2012, while total exports from Ireland to Czech Republic exceed €600m.
Poland, with a population of 38m, is a Top Ten Export Destination for
Enterprise Ireland client companies, who exported €300m of goods and
services to this market in 2012. One of the few EU countries to avoid
recession, Poland saw GDP growth of 2% in 2012. Poland borders countries
with a combined population of 295m people, and is a key market access route
to Russia and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). 30% of exports
from Ireland to Poland are from indigenous Irish companies across a range
of sectors and this growing market offers substantial opportunities to
Irish exporters.
Kevin Sherry, Enterprise Ireland’s Head of International Sales and
Partnering, who is accompanying Minister Perry on the trade mission, added:
‘Ireland is a source of world class products, services and technologies.
The Czech Republic and Poland provide real opportunities for innovative
Irish companies to forge partnerships where there is a clear win-win for
both sides.
‘This trade mission, and our extensive trade events programme, are part of
Enterprise Ireland’s concerted drive to support Irish companies seeking to
exploit new international business opportunities, target and win new
international customers and grow their sales. These activities are crucial
to helping companies build scale in growing export markets. Enterprise
Ireland will continue to work with Irish companies to ensure further
business successes will result from the trade mission – helping to sustain
and create much-needed jobs across every county in Ireland’.