Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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272. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the IDA plans to have a trade and investment mission to Singapore before the end of year. [32668/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department works closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to identify opportunities to help Irish companies access new markets and increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland.

Each year the two agencies prepare a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment, and showcasing opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of high-quality jobs and regional development throughout Ireland.

The Asia Pacific region is a key focus of Ministerial-led trade missions, along with the Eurozone and North America, representing as they do the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. A priority for these missions is promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in a range of sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and life sciences.

To date in 2023, Ministerial-led trade and investment visits and missions have taken place to Arab Health in Dubai; the US West Coast; UN City Copenhagen; the US East Coast; Warsaw and Prague; and Germany and France. My Department is continuing to work closely with its agencies in relation to a programme of trade missions and visits for the second half of 2023 and opportunities in the Asia Pacific region, including in Singapore, will be considered in that context.