Transport opportunities ‘missed out on’

IRISH technology companies are missing out on lucrative opportunities in the transportation sector across western Europe, EU experts in sustainable technology claimed at the European Green Energy Conference in Dublin.

Organised by Enterprise Ireland for technology firms interested in supplying the European transport sector, the conference was part of the agency’s ongoing drive to direct Irish companies towards new overseas sales and partnering opportunities to help foster new business and sustain and create Irish jobs.

“The pressing need for sustainable transport solutions across Europe and the UK is resulting in increased demand for new technologies and innovative thinking,” said Enterprise Ireland’s head of global business development Julie Sinnamon.

“Ireland has a solid base of companies that have the technological, manufacturing and innovative experience to deliver technologies to meet these new demands. This conference was about giving them an inside track to ensure they can capitalise on the opportunities that are emerging as a result of these shifts.”

Among the companies at the conference were Bombardier Rail, Jaguar Land Rover, Alstom, Veolia, the European Commission and the National Roads Authority.

New business areas are emerging around Europe due to a number of factors, including Britain’s green stimulus packages worth £560m (€640m); EU directives and Co2 reduction targets for 2020 and 2050; increasing urbanisation smart systems and transport technology and infrastructure that can talk to each other.

Minister of State for Transport Alan Kelly said: “State agencies and the private sector must work together to create momentum around the sustainable transport industry with the potential for job creation across many sectors and parallel industries.”