28th May 2021
Eurozone represents one of the most valuable marketplaces for Irish exporters – Enterprise Ireland
Three-part webinar series - Europe is Our Future - to outline opportunities
Enterprise Ireland and the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) today hosts the first of a three-part event webinar series which explores the untapped opportunities for Irish businesses within Europe. As one of the world’s most dynamic, prosperous, and stable markets, the Eurozone is home to over 340m consumers, offering significant and untapped opportunities for Irish companies.
Opened by Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, the webinar will feature insights from Enterprise Ireland, the IIEA, the EU Commission as well as companies currently trading in the Eurozone.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD said:
“It was a pleasure to open today’s event. It’s almost 50 years since Ireland joined the European Economic Community and it’s nearly 20 years since we adopted the euro. Our membership has had a significant influence transforming Irish society and our economy for the better. EU markets will continue to play a pivotal role in Ireland’s future, as we rebuild after the pandemic and navigate our new trading relationship with the UK. Our membership is particularly important to our ambition to grow our domestic SME sector and diversify into new export markets. Although many Irish businesses are finding success in exporting to the Eurozone, the huge potential is still largely untapped for the majority of our SMEs.”
Kerstin Jorna, Director-General, Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), European Commission said: “As Europe emerges from the pandemic, our focus is on supporting the green and digital transition of our single market. That means strengthening the resilience of our Single Market; building strategic capacities where we identify Europe’s dependencies and promoting the green and digital business case. SMEs should be at the centre of this. Ireland can plan a key role. The country is a strong hub for innovation and scientific excellence in Europe and there are huge opportunities for Irish companies to reap the full benefits of the Single Market both from an exporting and importing point of view.”
Anne Lanigan, Regional Director, Eurozone, Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland’s Eurozone strategy aims to inspire and support more companies to enter and scale in Eurozone markets. Since it was launched in 2017, Enterprise Ireland client exports have grown to 33% of overall exports (2019). The EU is the biggest trading bloc in the world and wide open to Irish exporting businesses. As we emerge from Covid-19, the focus is on recovery and accelerating the Irish business landscape, growing new business and new market opportunities. Irish companies have enjoyed great success, but there is also great untapped potential in the European market. Its size, accessibility and openness mean there has never been a better time or place for Irish companies looking for new export opportunities. Enterprise Ireland has a wide range of supports for Irish companies to reap the benefits of the European market.”
Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs said: “The upside of international trade has long been one of the few barely contested issues among economists. Ireland’s changed fortunes over the decades are but one example of how deepening commercial links with other economies drives prosperity. While indigenous Irish companies have internationalised over time, there is little doubt that further opportunities to exploit the EU’s Single Market exist, both in terms of export and import opportunities. Today’s event, the first in a series of three, will delve into how Irish businesses can reap the benefits of frictionless trade with continental Europe.”
Link to webinar event, Europe is Our Future: iiea.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tRmlTdPyS3aO9iGqL9WXQg
Link to Enterprise Ireland’s Market Diversification Supports: globalambition.ie/supports/market-diversification-supports/
Ends
About the Institute of International and European Affairs
The IIEA is Ireland’s leading European & International Affairs think tank. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation with charitable status.
Our role is to identify key European and international policy trends, which will inform the work of Ireland’s decision makers and business leaders and enrich the public debate on Ireland’s role in the EU and on the global stage.
About Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish companies internationally in order to grow exports and jobs. Enterprise Ireland works with entrepreneurs and businesses to help them to start-up, develop innovative products and services, and scale internationally. Enterprise Ireland facilitates access to international markets through its international office network, supports business strategy & management capability training and provides finance, investment and research expertise.
enterprise-ireland.com
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