Minister Kelleher announces deals worth €9m for Irish firms in Russia

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher TD, today [Friday] announced that deals for new export sales worth over €9 million were signed by Irish firms during this week’s trade mission in Russia.

Minister Kelleher led 30 top Irish firms on the trade mission which was organised by the Government’s indigenous job creation agency, Enterprise Ireland.

The firms were from a range of sectors including engineering, construction, food and drink, education, business services and information communications technology.

Irish high-tech firms Digisoft, Adaptive Mobile, OpenJaw and Norkom Technologies were among those that landed lucrative new sales deals.

Trinity College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology announced partnership agreements with higher education institutions in Russia.

Minister Kelleher described the trade mission as ‘another important step in Ireland’s economic recovery’.

‘Our economic recovery will be export-led and the Government’s strategy is to target markets such as Russia with high growth potential that can generate revenues and jobs for Irish firms.

‘The €9.2 million worth of deals we landed here this week will create jobs back home and add momentum to our economic recovery.

‘The trade mission has laid important foundations on which we can build a better trading and bilateral and trading relationship with Russia,’ said Minister Kelleher.

The chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, Frank Ryan, said: ‘Enterprise Ireland is dedicated to helping Irish companies bring their products and services to new export markets.

‘Russia is Europe’s largest emerging market and the success of this mission verifies that Irish products and services are well matched to Russian market demands.

‘The work we have done this week in highlighting Irish products and services to Russian businesses has further built on Ireland’s reputation in this important high-growth market.

‘Over the coming months, we will build on the achievements of this week and grow Irish exports to Russia.’

The trade mission was timed to coincide with President Mary McAleese’s visit to Russia.

Russia is Europe’s largest emerging market.

Irish exports to the country grew by over 66pc in the first five months of this year.

Ireland is the seventh largest provider of foreign direct investment to Russia ahead of the US and Japan.

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Editors’ Notes

Among the deals announced during the mission were:

Norkom and IBM announced an agreement with VTB Bank to provide the bank with market-leading financial crime and compliance solutions on an IBM software platform designed to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Adaptive Mobile Security, a Dublin-based global leader in securing next-generation converged telecom networks, announced it was selected by Vimplecom to supply its world class product suite to secure Vimplecom's customers and network.

OpenJaw Technologies announced the completion of phase two of its contract with Russia’s newest online travel agency, Amargo.ru.

Digisoft.tv, a Cork-based global provider of carrier class solutions to the media and entertainment markets, announced an extension of its contract with Personal Media Technology for the delivery of terrestrial television channels Russian viewers.

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Bernard Mallee, Press Adviser to Minister Batt O'Keeffe, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, on Tel: +353 1 631 3944, Mobile: +353 87 9173022, Email: bernard.mallee@deti.ie

Ciara O’Mahony, Press Officer, Enterprise Ireland, 01 7272284 or 0872043435