Africa Ireland Economic Forum set to boost trade

It is hoped trade links between Ireland and Africa will be expanded, as a result of a forum which takes place today.

Trade between both countries has grown by 200% in the last few years and it is hoped it will be worth €24bn by 2020.

The 3rd Africa Ireland Economic Forum will be attended by senior representatives from over 180 Irish companies and 100 business people from 16 African countries.

The Forum will be opened by the Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello who said it is a very beneficial event.

"It’s something that we started in 2011 we put together what is called the Africa strategy

"We decided to look at how we could engage with Africa in terms of business, in terms of investment, in terms of trade and we decided to put together a forum on an annual basis

"And this is the third annual forum."