Irish Firms expected to secure significant deals during mission

The  Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, is this morning  (Wednesday March 26th 2008) commencing a major Irish Trade Mission to Austin, Texas and Silicon Valley, California.

It  is  expected  that  during  the  Mission a number of Enterprise Ireland supported  companies  will secure significant deals. Many of the deals will see  Irish firms expanding their business interests with high tech partners in Silicon Valley.

Speaking at the start of the Mission Minister Martin highlighted the strong links  formed  between Irish and American high tech firms over the past two decades,

"The  business links between Ireland and both Texas and California are very much two way. We have seen, with the support of the IDA, those firms at the forefront of the internet revolution, including Google, Yahoo, Apple, Intel and eBay, establish key bases in Ireland.

However,  we are also witnessing specialised Irish firms taking a lead here in  the  US  by  using  their  expertise  to  remain at the cutting edge of developing new products, technology and services.

Our  investment  in  Research  and Development has put our companies at the cutting  edge  of developing the products, services and jobs of the future.
Thanks  to  the  expertise  of  our  people Ireland is now the 10th largest investor  in  the United States, with Irish companies employing over 80,000 people.

The  relationship between our two countries is crucial as Ireland continues to  develop  into  a knowledge based economy. Over the next few days I look forward  to meeting those companies which have chosen Ireland as their base in Europe and also attending contract signings by Irish firms with their US partners," concluded Minister Martin.

The  Irish  Trade  Mission will visit Austin, Texas as well as San Jose and Palo  Alto  in  Silicon  Valley  and San Francisco. In addition to business meetings  Minister  Martin  will also hold talks with a number of groups in Silicon  Valley which are promoting Irish business in the region, including the Irish Technology Leadership Group.

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This  press  release  is  also  available  from the Departments website at
www.entemp.ie

For further information please contact:
Jerry   O'Connor,  Press  Advisor,  Department  of  Enterprise,  Trade  and
Employment, Tel: 01- 6312200/087 6630338

Ciara O'mahony Press Officer, Enterprise Ireland, tel: 01 808 2284