Minister Kelleher Leads Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to UAE

44 Companies Seek Growth Opportunity in the Middle East

Friday 13^th November 2009: Minister for Trade and Commerce Mr Billy Kelleher T.D. will lead an Enterprise Ireland trade mission of 44 Irish companies to the United Arab Emirates, commencing on Monday.

The multi-sectoral trade mission which includes construction, cleantech, ICT solutions, healthcare and education, is aimed at supporting the participating companies in developing new business opportunities with existing and potential customers and partners. The mission will also further raise Ireland’s profile as a source of world-class products and services, and help increase awareness within the UAE of Ireland’s recent technology-led economic performance.

Speaking ahead of the mission, Minister Kelleher said: “Growing Irish exports is the key to Ireland’s economic recovery and trade missions are essential in helping our companies secure business overseas to grow their companies and sustain employment here in Ireland. This trade mission is important as the United Arab Emirates is the fastest growing market for Irish companies in the Gulf region. Sales by Irish companies in the UAE were €333 million last year, an annual increase of 14%.

Minister Kelleher continued: “This mission is about building on the trade links and relationships that have been established through previous trade missions and the ongoing work of Enterprise Ireland here in the region. It is about opening more doors for Irish companies in the UAE and assisting them to access the opportunities in this critical high growth market.”

CEO of Enterprise Ireland Frank Ryan added: “Exports of products and services from Ireland’s experienced indigenous SME base continue to rise in the Gulf region. Our high-tech products and services are closely matched to UAE market demand across many sectors. There is substantial potential for an accelerated expansion trade between the two countries and Irish business is strongly positioned to contribute to the UAE’s impressive pace of economic development.”

Targeted sectors include information technology and telecoms software; healthcare and pharmaceuticals; third level education services; utilities, power and construction industries; cleantech products and services; and e-Learning and e-Government applications.