Record Number of Irish Companies Investigating New Export Market Opportunities

Thursday 24^th September 2009

Enterprise Ireland is reporting a significant increase in the numbers of clients investigating new export markets this year with a record number of 620 Irish companies taking part in Enterprise Ireland’s International Markets Week this week.

This represents a 50% increase in demand compared with last year when 409 client companies took part in the event, reflecting the mounting interest among Irish companies in growing their export sales and reaching new international markets.

Over 1,400 individual client meetings have been scheduled with Enterprise Ireland’s overseas market advisers who are in Dublin and Shannon for the event this week. Each individual meeting provides a client with the opportunity to discuss the potential opportunities in a particular export market and plan exporting strategies.

International Markets Week is Enterprise Ireland’s single largest client event, run annually. It is aimed specifically at growing Irish exports by helping clients explore exporting strategies and new overseas markets.

Speaking at the event today, the Minister for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher T.D. said:

“Ireland’s economic recovery will be built on the type of export-led growth that drove the economy forward in the foundation stages of the boom. Fortunately, we have a solid base from which to drive that growth. More indigenous enterprises are regularly exporting to international markets than at any other time in our history.”

“International sales are hard-won but this record turn-out at Enterprise Ireland’s International Markets Week shows that Irish exporters are determined to continue to pursue that growth and will go to great lengths, pursuing international opportunities, to ensure further growth. This tenacity and determination will help secure their success.”, the Minister added.

• Enterprise Ireland has access to more than 60 countries through its 31 offices around the world and can support companies to increase sales in global markets through:
• Finding potential customers and partners
• Generating sales leads
• Organising face-to-face meetings with buyers
• Tracking competitors
• Setting up distribution channels
• Developing companies’ export marketing strategy
• Helping clients establish a market presence
• Advising on promotional efforts
• Sourcing translation and interpretation services
• Initiating joint venture and technology transfer partnerships

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