Poland Trade Targetted

Minister Kelleher visited Poland last Wednesday to support 41 Irish companies who are seeking to strengthen their trading relationships in that country.

Irish companies are one of the largest national groups of investors into Poland with significant business investments from Irish multinationals, including CRH, Kingspan, AIB, Smurfit and Clondalkin. 

According to the Polish statistical office, there are 383 Irish companies registered in Poland, 38 of them with share capital exceeding €1 million. 

Figures for the total investments by Irish companies in Poland, excluding real estate investments, are in the region of €1.5 billion.

Minister Kelleher said: "Poland, being one of the largest markets of the EU, offers excellent opportunities for Irish companies.

"It is a hugely important market for Irish companies in Central Europe and is Ireland's largest trading partner among the twelve recent members of the EU.

"There is huge potential for accelerating and deepening the level of trade interaction between the two countries in key sectors such as telecommunications, financial services software, industrial products, logistics, agri-business, power generation, infrastructure projects and environmental products and services.

"Today's successful companies think in terms of global customers and global opportunities, and the most effective way to achieve sales growth is through the creation of strategic alliances among export-led companies.

"I believe that this trade visit will be a stimulus for many such alliances between Ireland and Poland.

"It will provide Irish companies with the opportunity to fully explore the scope for investment, technology transfer, joint ventures, acquisitions, and other forms of joint marketing and trade relationships," he concluded.