Trade Mission to France Focuses on Cleantech, Brexit
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charles Flanagan led an Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Lyon, on Wednesday, November 30, focusing on the high potential Cleantech sector. Today he will have a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart, Foreign Minister Jean Marc Ayrault. During the two day visit, Flanagan will brief key business contacts on Ireland’s priorities and interests in the aftermath of Brexit.
“We will share views, concerns and priorities and I will be stressing again the unique concerns of Ireland in terms of the border, the Peace Process and the Common Travel Area,” Flanagan said. “I am pleased to have an opportunity to brief key Irish business contacts in France on Ireland’s strong commitment to the EU, the Government’s work to mitigate the effects of Brexit, and the strong potential for trade with an investment in Ireland.”
Part of the Government’s response to the Brexit decision was an increase in the number of minister-led trade missions. Part of this mission will see seven innovative Irish companies participate in a market study visit to Pollutec, one of the world’s largest clean-tech exhibitions. Trade with France amounts to €1.6 billion per month.
Flanagan said: “France is a key market for further growth and diversification of our trade post-Brexit and is already Ireland’s largest Eurozone export market for food and beverages and the third largest globally.”
