Irish firms losing out on Euro contracts : IEA

Irish firms are losing out on their share of the €750bn public procurement contracts issued annually by the European Union, the Irish Exporters Association has claimed.

The IEA believe that Irish exporters are entitled to 1% or €7.5bn worth of these contracts.

Michael Counahan, President of the Irish Exporters Association, said today: "The very low level of approximately €250m of EU public procurement contracts acquired by Irish companies each year can be improved on with the right information and with professional assistance."

Counahan was speaking at the launch European Information Centre (EIC) in Merrion Square in Dublin today.

The Dublin EIC will offer a wide range of services to Irish companies wishing to do business within the EU.

This will include the provision of information about European public tenders or programmes, the supply of accurate market information and country analyses, advice on complying with European directives and regulations and legislation.