Lord Green visits Dublin to encourage Irish investment in the UK
The Minister of State for Trade & Investment was in Dublin for informal meetings with EU Trade Ministers as part of Ireland's EU Presidency
17 & 18 April 2013
Lord Green also met with his ministerial counterparts Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and Joe Costello TD, Minister of State for Trade and Development.
While in Dublin, Lord Green used the opportunity to embark on a series of bilateral engagements to champion the UK as a destination for Irish investment and to promote the UK’s expertise in the development and operation of science parks.
Lord Green visited Realex Payments in Dublin to participate in an e-commerce and payments round table discussion hosted by the company. In attendance were British Ambassador to Ireland, Dominic Chilcott and a number of Irish companies currently focused on increasing their exports to the UK. The company discussed their expansion plans for the UK, in particular their intention to join the UK clearing system. Realex Payments processes in excess of €20bn per annum on behalf of 12,000 retailers. Headquartered in Dublin, they have offices in Paris as well as in London.
The Minister also visited the Dublin Institute of Technology at Grangegorman Campus where he was given a tour of the site and presentations on the opportunities for the development of their science park.
These events were followed by a speech at a Dublin Chamber of Commerce Reception in association with UKTI, hosted by McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors at their Dublin offices. The Minister spoke about the commercial relationship between the UK and Ireland and the UKs role in encouraging competitiveness, jobs and prosperity in the EU.
Lord Green said:
The next few years are an exciting time for companies involved in British-Irish trade. We know that Britain and Ireland are key trading partners - the figures clearly show this. The UK is Ireland’s largest export destination and Irish consumers are the fifth largest destination for British goods.
The challenge for Governments here and in Dublin is to expand our links even further so we make the most of our trade relationship. There are plenty of opportunities for Britain and Ireland to work together more closely such as in the agri-food and renewable energy sectors.
Trade is a key part of the Government’s aim to build a stronger economy. As well as strengthening relationships with our existing partners, the Government is committed to securing new free trade agreements.
A deal between the EU and the USA - the world’s two largest trading blocs - would be the biggest prize of all. The British Government strongly supports launching negotiations soon. We are grateful to the Irish Presidency of the EU for keeping this high on the EU’s agenda and in the UK the Prime Minister is making trade a cornerstone of our G8 Presidency this year.
For further information contact Simon McKeever, Director of Trade and Investment, UKTI Ireland