Post-Brexit, Enterprise Ireland has flown out to the Farnborough International Airshow, one of the biggest of its kind, to try and entice billions of euro of aerospace business to Ireland.
This is the first time that Enterprise Ireland has sent a team of delegates to crew a pavilion during the trade show element of the week-long event and comes at an interesting time, given the UK’s recent decision to leave the EU.
Given Ireland’s place as the only remaining EU member with English as its dominant language, it’s hoped British-based businesses could be encouraged to make the move here to avail of the benefits of the single European market.
With Ireland already one of the global centres of the aircraft leasing industry – which contributed to Ireland’s GDP growth of 26pc last year – it’s now hoped we can grow a sector that is valued at €4.1bn and already supports 42,000 jobs.
Enterprise Ireland has said in a statement that during the event it aims to exhibit its clients, attend buyer meetings and actively participate in the many industry networking events around the airshow.
€185bn in business up for grabs
Commenting on Enterprise Ireland’s decision to head over to Farnborough, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said: “There was approximately €185bn-worth of business transacted at the last Farnborough event two years ago.
“I very much hope this week’s exhibitors can tap further into this market, deepening relationships with the likes of Airbus, Bombardier, Boeing, Rolls Royce and related supply chains.”
Likewise, Dr Tom Kelly, Enterprise Ireland’s divisional manager, who is joining the minister over in the UK, has said it’s a chance to cement our place among the industry’s top sources of business.
“Our long-standing tradition in the sector means we have built up a wide range of high-level skills and key competencies in areas such as leasing, aircraft maintenance, component manufacture and airline support services, so Farnborough Airshow is a great place for Irish aviation and aerospace companies to be seen,” he said.
Airbus A380 flying at the Farnborough Air Show image via Steve Mann/Shutterstock
