Address by Minister Michael Ahern To the Ireland - Pakistan Business Council

9 November 2005, 12:30pm

Ambassador, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to be here today to speak to this distinguished gathering. First of all, however, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy, on behalf of the Irish Government and the people of Ireland, to the people of Pakistan both resident here in Ireland and back in Pakistan, in regard to the tragic consequences of the recent devastating earthquake in the Kashmir region. In recognition of this, the Irish Government recently allocated a further €2 million for relief and recovery operations by NGOs and UN agencies in Pakistan. This will bring to €5 million the total allocated by the Government, which we know will be of assistance to the people affected. The Ambassador will be aware that our President, Mrs. McAleese, has visited your embassy, to express her personal condolences.

To move on to today’s business - it gives me great pleasure to see the establishment of the Ireland - Pakistan Business Council, as it reflects the growing trade between the two countries, which in 2004 stood at about €86m. In this context, it is very relevant that Ireland has, for many years appreciated the importance of expanding our trading contacts worldwide. The growth of our trading links has been an important driver of our economic success and we have been very conscious of the need to explore new horizons in developing new markets. We have been very successful in doing so and we have reduced our dependence on our traditional trading partners in the process. In this era of globalisation, it is vital that new opportunities should be explored and the expansion of contacts can have important benefits for all countries involved.

In achieving this growth of trade, there are increasing numbers of multinational and indigenous Irish companies trading with Pakistan across a wide range of Industry sectors.

Indigenous export growth has been achieved in sectors where Ireland has strong competencies such as Food, Manufacturing and Banking & Telecoms Software. Equally, Pakistan’s strength in clothing and textiles, means that over 60% of what is imported from Pakistan comes from this sector.

In terms of Ireland’s investment in Pakistan, companies such as ESB International and Tullow Oil continue to point the way, in terms of developing stronger trade links. More recently, Irish companies have started to secure business in the Banking & Telecoms Software sectors in Pakistan. It is these sectors, in addition to utilities and third level education, where there appears to be a good match between Irish supply capability and Pakistani business, commercial and societal needs. This creates increasing opportunities in terms of trade between both of our countries.

With regard to education, the increasing numbers of Pakistani students in Ireland, now standing at over 650 this year, has given rise to a greater cultural exchange and a greater cultural diversity, as many Pakistanis have settled in Ireland, for study and for work. Enterprise Ireland - the Irish Government Agency for the development of Irish indigenous industry - organised a successful Education Trade Mission to Lahore in 2004. The development and expansion of these educational links will be of benefit to both countries.

It is heartening that many of our third-level colleges, including of course, Griffith College, who are hosting today’s event, have been increasingly active in attracting Pakistani students to Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland also intends to bring a Ministerial-led Trade Mission to Pakistan in 2006, as Pakistan is now a priority market for Enterprise Ireland in the region. I very much look forward personally to leading this mission, as it will be my first opportunity to visit the country and to witness for myself the thriving economy which has developed in recent years.

In Ireland, we are increasingly aware of the importance of developing our relations with the countries of Asia and our commitment to the targets outlined in the second phase of the Government’s Asia Strategy, which runs from 2005 to 2009, reflects this. The growth of the Asian economies is a phenomenon much admired in the West and we can all benefit from developing links with the countries of the region.

In addition to forging trading and educational links, we should also be very much aware of the importance of supporting the other key objectives of the Business Council, which are to promote mutual understanding and developing a knowledge of each other’s culture and traditions. Despite living in a shrinking world, there is still enormous scope to better understand the differences between East and West and the values, traditions and backgrounds of our fellow citizens on this planet. It has been noted that Ireland is fast becoming a multicultural country and that we are changing from having a somewhat restricted view of the world. This is an exciting and welcome development.

We need to open our minds to the nations from afar so that we can better appreciate the diversity of life and opinion which is around us. The efforts of bodies such as the Ireland Pakistan Business Council will enhance this understanding.

So, let me conclude by saying that I hope that this first meeting of the Ireland – Pakistan Business Council will be a catalyst for further success and increased trading opportunities and other links between our two countries. I would like to wish the Council every good wish and we look forward to working with you in the future to ensure that our relations keep growing, as productively as they have been in recent times.

ENDS

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