Minister Canney leads trade mission to Canada
Seán Canney, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) & Flood Relief, has commenced a three-day Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Canada with the programme taking place in Toronto and Ottawa.
The aim of the trade mission is to support participating Irish companies in furthering relationships with new and existing Canadian customers, secure market insight and target new opportunities in Canada across a range of growth sectors. The trip will also promote the potential of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Europe and Canada.
Speaking prior to his departure Minister Canney said: “I am delighted to be leading this trade mission to Canada and look forward to working with Enterprise Ireland’s team to deliver tangible results for the 25 participating client companies. This visit will strengthen our economic ties with Canada and raise awareness of what Ireland can offer in terms of world class, innovative products and services”.
The mission will facilitate high-level business contacts for Irish suppliers spanning a number of key sectors, including Internet of Things and ICT, fintech, construction products and services. The itinerary also takes in a consumer retail showcase hosted in Ottawa and the education, animation and digital media, engineering and retail technology sectors through an Ireland exhibition at the Retail Council of Canada’s Store 2017 conference.
Leo McAdams, Divisional Manager, International Sales & Partnering, Enterprise Ireland said: “This mission is one of over 40 international trade visits planned for this year as part of Enterprise Ireland’s effort to grow our clients’ exports to Canada from €282 million in 2016, contributing to the target of growing total client exports to €26Bn by 2020. We have intensified our focus on increasing the export market penetration and diversification of Irish companies into alternative markets following the UK’s decision to leave the EU”.
The 25 delegate companies represent a wide regional spread, with participants based in Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Mayo, Monaghan, Tipperary and Westmeath. A number of the companies will announce partnerships and new business in the market. Neil Cooney, Country Manager, Enterprise Ireland noted that: “Canada is Enterprise Ireland’s largest market outside the EU, USA and China and figures show export growth of 7.3% in Canada in 2016. More than 330 Enterprise Ireland client companies are already doing business in Canada and a significant number have a local presence. We look forward to assisting more Irish companies to access opportunity in Canada”.
During the trade mission, Minister Canney will promote Ireland and its world-class companies during a series of high level business engagements with leading Canadian businesses, including an Enterprise Ireland hosted Female Business Leaders Forum in Toronto. He will also undertake engagements with representatives of the Irish Canadian business community, including events co-hosted by Enterprise Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland with the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce in Toronto and Ottawa, and the Ireland Canada Business Association.
