14th March 2015
The Minister for Business & Employment, Ged Nash TD, leaves on a four day visit to Sweden today (Saturday).
His official visit is part of the Government’s wider promotional activity to mark St. Patrick’s Day and to strengthen Ireland’s business, political and cultural ties with Sweden.
Sweden is an important partner within the EU and in the wider global arena with bi-lateral trade estimated at €1.4 billion per annum. A large focus of the trip will be on promoting and increasing exports to Sweden with both Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, who have a presence in Stockholm.
The Minister’s programme will include meetings with senior Government representatives, as well as key businesses, including global telecommunications group Ericsson. The Ericsson Globe in Stockholm was lit up on the 12th of March as part of the global greening initiative aimed at increasing awareness and enhancing tourism links with Ireland.
Minister Nash will meet with Irish companies which are increasing their presence in Sweden such as ECOCEM, FEXCO, Mercury Engineering and Virtual Access. These are among 430 Irish-owned companies which export over €250m to Sweden annually.
He will also promote Irish food and beverage exports which currently total €170m per year, with a particular focus on beef, through meetings with Swedish retailers and restaurateurs.
The Minister will take part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Stockholm on 15th March and will speak at a reception hosted by the Irish Ambassador, Orla O’Hanrahan, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, on 17th March at Stockholm’s Maritime Museum.
Speaking ahead of his departure, Minister Nash said: “I am very pleased to be visiting Sweden to mark St Patrick’s Day. The primary aim of my visit is to encourage deeper trade partnerships, to share the story of Ireland’s economic recovery and to further promote Ireland as a great destination to do business.”
“Sweden and Ireland have a very similar approach to trade and we share a number of key business sectors, including construction and engineering, ICT, food production and financial technologies. In addition, there are a wealth of exciting and innovative companies operating in both countries and plenty of opportunity to increase links and trade.”
“I am looking forward to meeting some of the 2,500 strong Irish community and to participating in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Stockholm. I will be at the inauguration of ‘Ireland House’ which brings the Embassy, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia into the same office building strengthening Ireland’s presence here and ensuring closer cooperation and coordination of promotional activities.
“I am also looking forward to launching “Connections”, a capsule exhibition of Irish design which will be touring to Irish embassies around the world in 2015 as part of the ID2015, the year of Irish Design. It is very apt that a country like Sweden renowned for its design is the starting point for this exhibition which presents two connected perspectives - Irish design that connects with the world, and design that is shaping modern Ireland.”
ENDS
For more information contact:
Deirdre Grant 086 0484 279 Or DJEI Press Office 01 6312220 and press.office@djei.ie
Note for Editors:
Sweden is Ireland’s 19th largest merchandise trading partner in 2014 with Total Irish exports to Sweden at €741.8 million (CSO)
Main elements of Minister Nash’s programme:
Sunday, 15 March
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Monday, 16 March
Visit to construction site of Ericsson Data Centre with Mercury Engineering
Ireland House inauguration, Embassy of Ireland to include the launch of Irish Design 2015
Contract signing with ECOCEM and Port of Gävle
Bord Bia’s Quality Assured Beef on pack promotion, Axfood store visit
Tuesday, 17 March
Meeting with Fexco and strategic partner Paynova
Meeting with Virtual Access and customer TeliaSonera
Meeting with State Secretaries Oscar Stenström (Enterprise, SME and Trade) and Irene Wennemo (Employment)
St. Patrick’s Day Reception, Maritime Museum, Stockholm
AG Restaurant (Chefs’ Irish Beef Club Member) for Irish beef promotion event
- See more at: http://enterprise.gov.ie/en/News/2015/March/Minister-Nash-to-visit-Sweden-as-part-of-St-Patrick%E2%80%99s-Day-Trade-missions-.html#sthash.zHP3gZ8E.dpuf
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