Image via Wikimedia Commons
Thirty-two Irish companies in telecoms, e-learning, IT for healthcare and financial services are joining Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, TD, on a trade and investment mission to Australia.
The mission, which has been jointly organised by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, will cover Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney over five days.
The trip, which begins today, includes more than 40 high-level meetings and events to support increased exports by Irish companies to Australia, and to encourage Australian companies to invest in Ireland.
Bruton said the economic relationship between Ireland and Australia is stronger now than at any time in Ireland’s history.
“It is a relationship based on delivering two-way trade of more than US$2.8bn per annum,” Bruton said.
“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,” Bruton added.
Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, who is accompanying Bruton on the trade mission, said that central to the agency’s strategy is the determination to help its 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,” Sinnamon said.
“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.”
