Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
156. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what plans are currently under development at his Department for a State trade mission to the United States of America in 2023; what individual US states are under consideration to visit during such a trade mission; the process for developing such trade missions in the US at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11527/23]
View answerEach year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland prepare a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment, and showcasing opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of high-quality jobs and regional development throughout Ireland.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led trade missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represent the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These missions have focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in a range of sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and life sciences.
My Department has been working closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland with a view to developing a Ministerial-led trade mission programme for 2023 which will maximise our ability to avail of trade and investment opportunities. A trade visit took place to the US West Coast in February and it is intended that further USA trade missions will take place during 2023 to the US East Coast and the US Mid West. Planning for these visits is still ongoing.
In the meantime, there will be Ministerial visits to the USA this month as part of the 2023 St Patrick's Day programme which will see the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world. The USA locations included in the programme are Washington (Taoiseach); New York, Boston (Tánaiste); Chicago (Minister McGrath); Philadelphia (Minister Foley); Los Angeles, San Diego (Minister Martin); Atlanta, Savannah (Minister O’Brien); San Francisco (Minister Harris); Miami (Minister Naughton); and Austin Dallas and Texas (Minister Byrne).
