Taoiseach heads trade mission to Japan in bid to double exports

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen is leading the biggest Irish trade mission to Japan this week.

John McGuinness, Minister for Trade and Commerce, and Brendan Smith, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will accompany him.

Mr Smith’s presence is as important given that Japan still has a ban on Irish pork since the dioxin scare that seriously disrupted sales of Irish pork and bacon in the run up to Christmas.

Bilateral trade is worth €4 billion annually and is evenly split. Most of our exports are generated by the hi-tech multi-nationals, while indigenous Irish exporters account for close to €95 million of our €2bn export figure, with food making up close to 50% of that.

The aim of the trade mission is to double total Irish exports to €4bn by the end of 2010.

The Enterprise Ireland mission of 70 Irish companies and organisations will visit Tokyo and Osaka.

Key state agencies including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia are taking part in the mission.

It is expected IDA Ireland will announce one and possibly two important investment projects for Ireland during the trip, while many of the firms, who already have offices in Japan, will be seeking to bolster trading links with their trading partners.

The Taoiseach will be in Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government.

This high-level visit follows on 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and Mr Cowen will be received by the Emperor Akihito. He will also have talks with prime minister Taro Aso.

The Taoiseach will deliver a keynote speech on research and development and is also due to speak on Irish foreign policy at the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo on Thursday.

Before leaving for Tokyo the Taoiseach said: “The size of the trade mission, the diversity of industry sectors represented and the calibre of Irish companies taking part all testify to the commitment of Irish companies to do more business with Japan.

“We believe that Japan will become an even more important force over the coming years and we have a strong desire to strengthen our relationship with Japan through collaboration in innovation, trade and investment,” said Mr Cowen.

Frank Ryan, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, said: “The trade mission is an opportune time to examine the potential for a substantial expansion in the number of strategic alliances and joint ventures between Irish and Japanese partners — and a deepening of those that currently exist.”