Collaboration needed to maximise Ireland's trade with Africa

Collaboration needed to maximise Ireland's trade with Africa

Lagos. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Ireland has an enviable reputation across Africa arising from its educational and aid support delivered for many decades but our trade links are still underdeveloped, an event heard least week.

?Exports to Africa have the realistic potential to reach ?24bn by the end of the decade and we are confident that high export growth can be achieved if? the various agencies and the private sector can work together to support companies by identifying opportunities and facilitating trade,? said Brian Delaney, chairman of the Irish Exporters Association Africa Business Forum at the meeting.

?There are currently 160 Irish companies exporting to 23 African countries and 36 Irish companies have a presence on the ground there.? We need to tap into this network and experience to improve our knowledge of the vast markets in Africa and to identify where opportunities lie.

?Companies such as the Irish Dairy Board, which have been trading in Africa for nearly 35 years, have considerable experience of the market and demonstrate the potential that exists for Irish exporters.?

To identify opportunities there is no substitute for getting out there and getting to know the people, he continued.?

?Last year saw the first Irish trade mission to Nigeria in 20 years.? One in every 43 people in the world is Nigerian and the importance of regular missions going forward must not be underestimated if we are to build sustainable momentum in these markets.?

South Africa is often used as a platform to access other African markets and Enterprise Ireland recently opened an office and incubation centre in Johannesburg.

?This office along with our 11 embassies throughout Africa and the Irish business networks that are being developed provide a strong structure for trade promotion,? said Delaney.??

?The Africa-Ireland Economic Forum which will be held in October will also represent a chance for potential exporters to meet successful African business people.?

The IEA is currently developing a strategy for Ireland-Africa trade promotion and is inviting submissions and comment from interested companies.

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Source: http://www.businessandleadership.com/exporting/item/41906-collaboration-needed-to-max

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