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Minister Bruton leads 5-day trade and investment mission to Australia accompanied by 32 Irish companies

29th August 2014 - Richard Bruton TD

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, today (Friday) departs on a 5-day, 3-city trade and investment mission to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, jointly organised by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

This is Minister Bruton’s 22nd trade/investment mission since taking office 42 months ago. As part of its strategy to support increased exports and jobs, this Government has more than doubled the number of trade missions since taking office.

32 Irish companies from the financial services, e-learning, telecommunications and IT for Healthcare sectors are participating on the mission.

The 5-day mission includes over 40 high-level meetings and events including:
·         23 meetings and events aimed at supporting increased exports by Irish companies to Australia, by facilitating contacts and enhanced relationships with local companies, organised by Enterprise Ireland
·         7 one-on-one meetings with senior executives of Australian companies considering making investments in Ireland or expanding operations already here, arranged by IDA Ireland – including meetings with fast-growing Australian companies ACS and iM3
·         6 one-on-one interviews with major Australian media outlets – broadcast and print – as part of the Government’s campaign to communicate the story of Ireland’s economic recovery abroad, help facilitate increased investment here and raise awareness of Ireland as a source of world-class, innovative products and services
·         5 political meetings and events, including one-on-one meetings with the Austalian Minister for Trade and Investment and the Minister for Employment. Minister Bruton will also attend Australian Federal Parliament Question Time

Speaking before his departure, Minister Bruton said: “At the heart of our jobs plan is supporting an export-led recovery, and in the past three years we have put in place a range of measures to encourage more job-creation in Irish and multinational companies here.  Central to this is Ministerial-led trade missions, which help to put our agencies and our businesses in front of decision-makers in overseas companies and Governments who can enable the job-creation in Ireland that we need. As well as new measures like increasing the numbers of Enterprise Ireland and IDA staff in overseas markets and new tax incentives to encourage job-creation here, we have more than doubled the number of Ministerial-led trade missions since taking office.

“The economic relationship between Ireland and Australia is stronger now than at any time in our history. It is a relationship based on delivering two-way trade of more than $2.8bn per annum. There are over 140 Enterprise Ireland client companies actively doing business in Australia as well as 35 Australian companies in Ireland employing over 1,600 people. I am confident that during the intensive programme of activities this week we can build on that strong relationship and support more trade and crucially more jobs in Ireland”.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, who is accompanying Minister Bruton on the trade mission added:

“Central to Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is the determination to help our client companies grow their export sales in global markets. Australia is a key growth market for Irish companies – particularly high-tech firms such as those represented on this mission. The geography of the Australian market means that it is particularly open to technologies that help overcome geographic challenges such as e-learning, telecommunications and IT for Healthcare.  This trade mission is about highlighting the unique and innovative solutions that Ireland can offer Australia, and building on the solid base of Irish indigenous export activity to this key strategic market – helping to sustain and grow jobs back in Ireland”.

John Conlon, Head of Asia Pacific Operations at IDA Ireland, who will also be accompanying the Minister on the mission, said: “There are over 35 Australian companies in Ireland, employing over 1,600 people which includes leading names such as Resmed, Macquarie, Computershare and QBE. IDA Ireland is seeking to attract quality investments from globalising Australian companies looking to access the EMEA market.”  

“IDA Ireland targets sectors with the highest potential for delivery and fit with Ireland’s value proposition, building relationships with the top and emerging players in the key sectors of Technology, Business and Financial Services and Life Sciences.”