Export Supremo needed

Export Supremo should be Appointed to Boost Irish Export Industry Recommends Oireachtas Committee Report
Short term temptation to close overseas embassies must be resisted and current anti-business visa policy must be tackled

1st April 2010

A specific individual needs to be appointed to drive indigenous industry and give momentum to the export sector.

This is one of the key findings of a report published today by the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee. The report examines the current status of the Irish export market and makes detailed proposals for an intensified drive to develop key international markets for Irish exports.

The report also calls for the short term temptation to close overseas embassies and consulates to be resisted and demands that the current visa restrictions which are discouraging business be overhauled.

Committee Chairman, Dr Michael Woods TD said;
“Ireland’s future economic prosperity will have to be based on sustainable export led growth. For the last two years, exports have been the only area of economic activity that has helped to offset the decline in our economy

While our export achievements have been significant, there are many markets which we have not reached or even explored our potential. At present, indigenous firms only export 34% of their goods and services. Large multinationals in Ireland export 93% of output. This rate must be increased if we are to strengthen the economy, secure existing employment and create new jobs in indigenous Irish companies.

This is why an export supremo would be invaluable. This individual would co-ordinate industry and State sector and support innovative start up companies who have export potential.

We also strongly caution against reducing Ireland’s network of overseas embassies and consulates. Irish Embassies give high priority to business and trade promotions activities to facilitate new opportunities for Irish business. They provide a ‘front of shop’ function which cannot be replicated by other means. In particular, indigenous Irish exporters, who account for 50% of the 300,000 jobs which depend on exports, rely on the State’s support agencies, Embassies and other Missions to identify opportunities in foreign markets.


We believe any moves to diminish this would be short-sighted and counterproductive.”
Key among the report’s recommendations are;

Appoint an export supremo who will be charged with increasing the export intensity of indigenous Irish firms.
Roll out a programme of targeted trade missions by senior Government figures and Oireachtas members.
Strengthen Irish Embassies and Enterprise Ireland in the trade area through a two year contract graduate and experienced equivalent placement and/or internship programme in key markets.
Review visa policy and practice to avoid unnecessary red tape in relation to business in the tourism, education and services sectors
Introduce a post graduate work permit programme to allow foreign graduates of Irish institutes to contribute to our export drive.

As part of its deliberations, the Committee held open hearings with Enterprise Ireland, An Bord Bia, Irish Exporters Association, Irish Farmers’ Association, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and representatives from the construction sector.

In 2008, the total value of Irish exports was €155,490 million, with approximately 55% accounted for by merchandise exports and 45% services. Exports account for 80% of Irish GDP.

Dr Woods added
“One of the most striking findings from our deliberations was the need to overhaul the current visa system. Witnesses at our Committee described experiences where they had travel to London to meet with clients because they could not get a visa to enter their country.

Representative organisations in the tourism and English language school sectors have also demonstrated that the current visa policy is discouraging business to a significant extent. For this reason, the report is seeking an examination of the options available and recommends consideration be given to a common business and tourist visa for the UK and Ireland.

We must remove such restrictions and create an atmosphere where home grown businesses are encouraged and facilitated in their efforts to grow exports. The recommendations of our report if implemented effectively will help Irish firms to grow their exports and create jobs”



The full title of the report is “Ireland’s Foreign Trade Promotion Policy: Developing International Markets for Irish Exports.”

A full copy of the report is available at www.oireachtas.ie