Speech by Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D., Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs at the Export Link 2000 Exhibition & Conference on Tuesday 4 April 2000 at the RDS, Dublin.

I would like to thank the Irish Exporters Association for inviting me here today to open the Export Link 2000 Exhibition and Conference. Indeed, I am greatly encouraged by the efforts of the Irish Exporters Association, in conjunction with Business and Finance, in organising Export Link 2000. I understand that this is a most comprehensive exhibition and conference dedicated solely to Irish exporters and our export success. I am also pleased that Export Link is being sponsored by KPMG and supported by Ulster Bank and DHL.

Like all other sectors, the exporting sector must continue to equip itself to adapt to the ever-changing corporate landscape and customer requirements of our modern world. I know that many of our companies have been doing this successfully and, naturally, I am encouraged by this because it means that the omens are good for the exporting sector - a crucial element in Ireland's development. The success of Irish exporters over the past five years has been, to put in mildly, most encouraging and this performance has played a central role in the achievement of record GDP growth.

I firmly believe that Ireland's industry must be strongly market-led and export driven. Globalisation and liberalisation of competition means that the few remaining sheltered segments of the economy are fast disappearing. Growth and survival make it imperative for firms to reduce their dependence on the domestic market.

Ireland's economic well-being is now inextricably linked to participation in an open trading system which offers increased opportunities for our companies. We have prospered from having an open trading policy. Our dynamic Irish economy is led by our trade performance and the achievements of Irish companies in international markets. For our part, the main focus of Government activity is on creating the conditions under which exporters can compete on an equal basis on world markets.

In this regard, Government works closely with Enterprise Ireland to support Irish industry in building competitive advantage by growing profitable sales, exports, and sustainable employment. We seek to support the work of Irish companies by pro-actively marketing Ireland's supply capability to international buyers and sourcing teams. As I have said many times before, international trade has played a central role in driving the economic growth of the nation. And to continue this growth, Enterprise Ireland is committed to working in partnership with its clients to achieve 240 first time exporters from 1999 - 2001.

As you will be keenly aware, Britain continues to be the primary destination for the export of manufactured goods and services by Irish owned companies. In 1998 this market accounted for 45% of such exports and, therefore, it is essential that we continue to work together in this important marketplace. Enterprise Ireland will continue to seek to identify and track business opportunities and provide direct introductions to British buying channels, through a range of business development initiatives aimed at serving Irish business interests in the British marketplace

Enterprise Ireland reports continued strong performance by Irish owned businesses in terms of sales and exports leading to sustained growth in employment. Preliminary estimates for 1999 indicate that sales by Enterprise Ireland supported companies grew by 6.3% to IR£18 billion (e23 billion), and early first half year indications are that exports are up by 4%. This activity led to the creation of more than 14,000 new jobs (including 1,000 part time), the highest recorded over the last 10 years and representing an increase of 22% over the period.

The challenge now is to ensure that we build on this success in this decade and I know that companies such as yours represented here today working together with Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Exporters Association can meet that challenge. And as we continue on the road of internationalising our businesses the quite excellent trade performance we have enjoyed in recent times is clear testament to the benefits of our taking a global approach to our business.

I might highlight for you just one recent initiative which Enterprise Ireland, as part of its commitment to intensifying the drive to focus client companies on aggressive long term export marketing strategies, recently undertook. EI staged an open week towards the end of 1999 during which more than 500 Irish owned companies met, on a one to one basis, with Enterprise Ireland overseas market specialists from all major markets to discuss opportunities and develop strategies to take advantage of them. And as part of this process, this year, Enterprise Ireland will undertake 50 trade missions to overseas markets and organise more than 20 inward buyer missions.

I might also refer to the a new publication "A Guide to International Trade" produced by Enterprise Ireland, in association with Ernst & Young and AIB. The guide offers SMEs a comprehensive overview of the key factors needed for successful trade, along with details of the extensive range of assistance and information sources available to companies. It offers step-by-step advice to exporters, from a basic introduction to eCommerce to the problem of identifying export sales opportunities. As with other publications in this field, I am sure it will be a useful tool to companies seeking the greater opportunities available to them in the global trading village.

It would be remiss of me not to mention, briefly, the whole area of eCommerce and eBusiness - that radical new force in global business and trade. It has already begun to transform the way business is done, globally and locally. It will dramatically impact on relationships with customers, suppliers and business partners.

Despite the clear importance of eBusiness many Irish companies do not yet fully appreciate the profound implications of the Internet, and have been slow to respond to the international business opportunities that are now available. eBusiness is particularly relevant for companies in the regions and those operating in global niche markets.

Enterprise Ireland recently established a £10m eBusiness Fund to boost the number of Irish companies transacting business across electronic networks. The initiative will operate over a two year time frame and is designed to facilitate the rapid development of significant scale projects within existing businesses in the manufacturing and international services sectors so as to enable them to trade electronically. I would urge any company seeking to maintain and grow their international market presence represented here today to investigate - now - the great potential that eBusiness can offer your company.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the active and constructive role that the Irish Exporters Association has played in helping to organise important trade and economic events such as today's which serve to highlight greater exporting opportunities with all the benefits for profits and employment that follow. I would also like to commend all those associated with Export Link 2000 for their commitment and vision for the future of the exporting sector. I wish Export Link 2000 and all the participating enterprises success both during the exhibition and in to the months and years ahead.