Irish woo investors at annual forum
The agency held its annual investor forum in London, where nearly 100 international investors met with 24 Irish companies in the software and life sciences areas. Over the past couple of years, these EI-hosted events have led to around 40 co-investments in Irish firms by overseas venture capitalists.
O’Keeffe: Lend to export-led firms
Riyadh: Senior bankers on a Government trade mission to the Middle East were told at a meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to “return to first principles” and start lending to export-led Irish firms.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe told AIB, Bank of Ireland Ulster Bank senior officials to re-engage with Irish export firms to ensure Ireland enjoys success in key target markets.
“Our banks are critical to our efforts,” he said.
Irish exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE last year came to €400m and €276m respectively. The 45 Irish firms on the Enterprise Ireland trade mission have moved onto Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and will visit Abu Dhabi in the UAE later this week.
