Tánaiste undertakes trade, investment and promotion mission to Germany

14 March 2010

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D., has commenced a four-day trade, investment and promotion mission to the Federal Republic of Germany.

The visit, which will include stops in each of the cities of Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich and Marburg, is aimed at influencing German opinion on Ireland’s strategy for economic renewal. It will also involve the Tánaiste meeting German companies investing in Ireland, and promoting Irish business, tourism and food in Germany.

In Berlin, the Tánaiste will meet with her German counterpart, the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Rainer Brüderle. This will be the first high-level meeting between the Irish and German Governments since the German federal elections last September. The Tánaiste will also deliver a keynote address to business leaders at Commerzbank Headquarters in the German capital.

In Dusseldorf, the Tánaiste will join with and assist Irish companies focused on providing services to the German retail industry and meet with German retailers. She will also attend separate events organised by the Irish Business Network and jointly by IDA and Enterprise Ireland. From Dusseldorf, the Tánaiste will travel to Marburg, where she is scheduled open the new premises of the Irish company, Zenith.

In Munich, the Tánaiste will participate in food and tourism promotion events and meet with members of the German Irish Network before accompanying the Mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, at the city’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade.

The Tánaiste is undertaking a series of interviews with German media over the course of her four days in the country, including with the editorial boards of Die Welt and Handelsblatt.

ENDS/ETE2174