Trade Mission to Turkey

The Trade Mission combined high level political meetings with deal making and networking opportunities for Irish companies.

A recent Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Turkey illustrates our coordinated approach to boosting exports and delivering a strong message on Ireland’s economic recovery.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D., travelled to Turkey from 7-10 April 2013, leading an Enterprise Ireland trade mission of 24 innovative Irish exporting companies. The visit combined high-level meetings with key Turkish government ministers and state agencies with introductions, deal-making and networking events for the Irish companies involved.

Over €30m worth of new business was announced on the trade mission, including a joint venture between ESBI with a Turkish partner, Unit Group, to operate and maintain a power station close to Istanbul. In Ankara, the Tánaiste opened the new offices of PM Group, another indigenous Irish company with a strong international reputation. As leaders in the energy, engineering and consultancy sectors targeting further opportunities in Turkey, both PM Group and ESBI participated in meetings, led by the Tánaiste, with the Turkish Ministers for Energy, and for Science, Industry and Technology, outlining Ireland’s sectoral expertise.

A key objective of the mission was to promote the emerging sectors of telecoms, pharmaceuticals and financial services, where Irish companies have strong capability.  

Kells Stainless and Combilift also announced significant new deals during the course of the trade mission. While these companies have been operating in Turkey for some time, the mission was an opportunity for those seeking to enter the market to meet with a selection of potential clients and local partners, carefully selected by Enterprise Ireland.

A key objective of the mission was to promote the emerging sectors of telecoms, pharmaceuticals and financial services, where Irish companies have strong capability. As part of the mission, the Irish Exporters Association signed a memorandum of understanding with the Turkish Exporters Assembly to deepen the business and trade relationship between the two countries. Contacts made on this trip will be key to developing that relationship in coming years.

Following the Trade Mission, the Tánaiste commented: “Our Embassy in Turkey, Enterprise Ireland and indeed members of the Global Irish Network based in Ankara and Istanbul worked together to deliver a programme that focused on maximising opportunities and profile for Irish business, as well as delivering a strong message on Ireland’s economic recovery to the Turkish Government and business community. Every company I spoke to highlighted the importance of high level engagement by Government in assisting Irish companies to win business overseas. It is a privilege for any Minister to have the opportunity to represent some of Ireland’s most vibrant, innovative and competitive companies abroad”.