Address by Mr. John McGuinness, TD, Minister for International Trade, at Functional Foods & Life Sciences Workshops Lunch, Conrad Hotel, Tokyo

Tuesday 13^th January 2009

Distinguished Guests, I would like to thank you for joining us here today for our workshops on functional food and life sciences hosted by Enterprise Ireland.

As I’m sure you are aware, Ireland has a strong industrial base based on innovation and continuous improvement. Functional Foods and Life Sciences are two key sectors in our future strategy and we are committing significant resources to both of these sectors to ensure that they are important elements of indigenous industry in Ireland in the future.

The food industry is one of Ireland’s oldest industries and Life Sciences one our newest. The successful future of both involves two things – innovation and international collaboration. The Irish companies who join us here today are all committed to both of these.

Enterprise Ireland, who is hosting the workshops, is the government agency responsible for the development, growth and internationalisation of Irish owned companies. I am joined by Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland. I can assure you that he and his team are fully committed to developing these two important sectors, ensuring they continue to invest in strategic innovation and technology and to grow internationally in order to achieve sustainable success.

Japan has been a major economic force in the last 40 years, we believe you will be an even greater one in the next 40 years. When I look at the list of participating Japanese companies today I am honoured that such world-class companies have taken the time to spend with us. I am sure it will be time well spent and it is my sincere hope that it will lead to significant collaboration, which will be of benefit to both our island countries.

Frank Ryan’s team’s role is to help you liaise with Irish industry, not just today but on an ongoing basis. Please make good use of them!

I wish you an enjoyable lunch and hope that today is a resounding success.

ENDS/TC355