Tánaiste Leads Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission To The United Arab Emirates

The aim of the mission is to build the economic links between Ireland and the UAE and help Irish companies to access long-term opportunities available in the market.

Speaking ahead of the mission the Tánaiste said: "Ireland has enjoyed a strong business relationship with the UAE for several years and in the past ten, there has been significant upsurge in trade between Ireland and the Emirates so that it is now the fastest growing market for Irish companies in the Gulf Region. Irish exports to the UAE in 2007 were €290m and more than 35 Irish companies have operations in the UAE.

"It holds significant opportunities for Irish companies in a broad range of sectors, in particular, construction, telecoms software, education, financial services and IT for e-learning, e-government and tourism.

"A key objective of this trade mission is to highlight the product and service capability of Irish companies and to encourage mutually beneficial collaborative business ventures between Irish and Emirati businesses."

Frank Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland, who is accompanying the Tánaiste on the Trade Mission said: "The UAE is a modern, dynamic and consumer driven economy with a wealth of opportunities for Irish and Emirati businesses to work together to generate income and value. International partnership is a key strategic objective of Enterprise Ireland and with this mission we aim to support Irish companies in the UAE to source and cement relationships, strategic alliances, joint ventures, product/process licensing and collaborative R&D."