Irish economy transformed by trade opportunities since joining EU

After 50 years in the EU our trade surplus is over €60bn and we have a diversified export base across products and market destinations

“Many of the world’s leading businesses have chosen Ireland as an attractive location from which to access the EU single market."

The more creative side of the EU was in evidence at the European Innovation Council (EIC) summit in Brussels just over a year ago when the European Commission announced the winners of the annual EU Prize for Women Innovators. The award is given to the most talented female entrepreneurs from across the European community and associated countries who have founded a successful company and brought innovation to the market.

A total of 21 firms were shortlisted and no less than seven of them were Irish. As it turned out three companies from Denmark, the Netherlands and Israel won the main prizes, worth €100,000 each. But an Irish business was chosen for the Rising Innovator prize, which includes €50,000 cash, awarded to exceptional innovators under the age of 35.