Minister Burke Launches Programme to Support New Exporters Grow Their Business in International Markets

Image caption: (l-r) Alison Currie (ITI) Jenny Melia (EI) Minister Burke Oisin Geoghegan (LEO) Tomás Ó Síócháin (Udarais)

Delivered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland, Local Enterprise Offices,  and Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Get Exporting programme is open now for Irish SMEs to register their interest 

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD today announced the launch of the new Get Exporting programme, designed to help non-exporting and early-stage companies begin their export journey and build sustainable international sales. The programme supports businesses in developing market entry capabilities, overcoming barriers, and achieving export success.

Delivered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland, Local Enterprise Offices, and Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Get Exporting programme represents a national, cross-agency collaboration focused on supporting Irish SMEs to become first-time exporters and strengthening Ireland’s export performance.

The programme will begin in January 2026 and is open to Irish manufacturing and internationally traded services companies with less than €10,000 in annual export sales, looking to succeed in international markets. 

As part of the programme, businesses will be provided with one-to-one advice, market insights and practical workshops supporting the development of an actionable export plan. Businesses will also benefit from practical skills in market research, lead generation and market testing to enable export success.

Launching the new programme of supports, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said, “Exporting is a vital growth driver for SMEs and essential to Ireland’s competitiveness, innovation and economic resilience.  Our ambition is to expand the current exporter base through supporting Irish businesses to scale and become more competitive internationally, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Irish economy.  

The Get Exporting programme will enable and support all of our SMEs from the smallest micro companies upwards, to internationalise, ensuring they are fully equipped to grow by capitalising on export opportunities. I am encouraging as many companies as possible to engage with the programme, which will reap benefits in your business performance and also in your region in terms of employment and the local economy.”

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said, “As part of Enterprise Ireland’s five-year strategy to Accelerate Sustainable Irish Business, we have committed to supporting 1,700 additional Irish-owned exporters by 2029. Our key objective is to increase the volume and quality of exporters, maximising the potential success for Irish businesses in world markets. To support this, the Get Exporting programme, a national initiative, offers expert led strategic advice, workshops, and in-market insights to support Irish businesses to develop actionable export plans, supporting them to win business and succeed internationally.” 

Oisin Geoghegan, Local Enterprise Offices, said, “For a small business, exporting can be an extremely daunting prospect.  There can be concerns about the language barrier, ways of working, rules and regulations – there is a huge amount to consider when you look to break into a new market.  It is important that small businesses are aware that the expertise and the contacts for these markets already exist and that’s the core of what Get Exporting is all about.

“It is bringing Enterprise Ireland’s global experience and InterTradeIreland’s expertise in working across the island of Ireland and making that available to the small businesses we are working with day-to-day who want to scale and just need help to make the first step.  This is going to be a hugely beneficial programme for Ireland’s small businesses and will make a significant impact on increasing our SME export figures.  Irish businesses have the quality and reputation to compete with the best in the world and this programme will help them to get there.”

Alison Currie, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at InterTradeIreland said “We’re delighted to collaborate with key partners on the new Get Exporting Programme, with a unique role to support SMEs on their cross-border export journey. Cross-Border Trade is going from strength to strength, reaching a record high of €15/£12 billion. We encourage businesses to explore the Northern Ireland market as a stepping stone to exporting off the island.”

Tomás Ó Síócháin, CEO, Údarás na Gaeltachta said: "This programme opens vital pathways for Gaeltacht businesses to compete internationally. Exporting drives sustainable growth and creates quality employment in our communities. We're committed to ensuring companies across the Gaeltacht have the expertise and support they need to succeed in global markets."

For further information, please see enterprise-ireland.com/getexporting. To register your interest, please contact the Get Exporting team getexporting@enterprise-ireland.com.

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