06/09/2010

Irish Firms Seek Investment In Russia

Some 30 Irish firms are making their way to Russia as part of a trade mission to Russia.

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher, is leading the sortie, which is expected to last up to a week.

The firms are from a range of sectors including engineering, construction, food and drink, education and business services. Half of the companies are in the information communications technology (ICT) and services sectors.

The trade mission has been organised by the Government’s indigenous job creation agency, Enterprise Ireland, to coincide with President Mary McAleese’s visit to Russia.

Ireland is the seventh largest provider of foreign direct investment to Russia ahead of the US and Japan and Irish exports to the country grew by over 66 per cent in the first five months of this year.

Speaking this morning ahead of the trip, Minister Kelleher described the trade mission as "an important opportunity to showcase Irish firms and generate new business opportunities".

"Russia is a significant trading partner for Ireland and the country’s continued economic development has resulted in a wide range of business and commercial opportunities for Irish firms," he said.

The minister added: "We want to give Irish firms opportunities to strengthen their business links with Russia and help new market-entrants to land their first breakthrough sale there."

According to Mr Kelleher, Ireland and Russia have similar national research and development goals with a strong focus on funding research in nanotechnology, life science and ICT.

A separate event is being organised for the Irish higher education sector to build contacts with Russian colleges through Education Ireland.

(DW/KMcA)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 September 2010
To 'Russia With Love' For Irish
There has been a major 'thaw' in Irish relations with the former Eastern block with news that deals for new export sales worth over €9 million were signed by firms in the Republic during this week's trade mission in Russia.
08 November 2011
Tániaste Announces Russian Trade Agreement
The Irish Deputy Prime Minister, the Tánaiste, has announced he wrapped up his official visit to Russia on Tuesday with the signing of an agreement for trade and economic cooperation between Ireland and Russia.
15 November 2024
Electric Shock Report To Launch At NI's Premier Electrical Industry Event
A new report aimed at tackling the widespread underreporting of electric shocks within the electrical industry in Northern Ireland will be launched later this month, as part of the Electrical Training Trust's (ETT) 'Save Our Sparks' campaign.
06 July 2011
Rapid Russian Success For Armagh Firm
There is 'concrete success' on the way for a Co Armagh construction sector firm with news that Rapid International in Tandragee has won business worth around £800,000 in Russia from its participation in an Invest Northern Ireland trade mission to Moscow and St Petersburg.
03 September 2012
America's Retail Giants View Irish Consumer Products
Senior executives from America's largest retail chains are in Dublin with Enterprise Ireland today to view Irish consumer products with particular potential for large-scale distribution in the American retail market. Between them, these US retail chains have 11,000 stores and sales valued at $182bn per year.