merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, today encouraged businesses to register for the Africa Ireland Economic Forum, which will be held on 11 October 2018 in the Convention Centre Dublin.

The Tánaiste said:

This is the sixth African Ireland Economic Forum, the fulcrum of our economic relations with Africa. At a time when Irish companies are looking to diversify, our trade with Africa has increased by 13% since 2014. Irish food and drink companies have been particularly successful, with Bord Bia estimating that exports to the continent have gone up by 28% over the past two years. The Forum offers an opportunity for Irish companies to be part of that success, meet potential partners and engage with the world’s fastest growing continent.

The Forum is now open for registration on www.dfa.ie/aief

The Forum is organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, in partnership with the resident African Embassies in Ireland. It will focus this year on the complementary themes of agri-food and women in business, bringing together business leaders and policy makers from Ireland and Africa to hear about the opportunities for enhanced trade and investment.

Keynote speakers include Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Simon Coveney TD., and Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives from Kenya, Peter Munya. Panels will include senior business executives with extensive experience of operating in Africa addressing the following topics: challenges and opportunities for business in Africa; case studies of Irish companies operating in Africa; women in business, pathways to success; and supports available to Irish businesses operating in Africa.