From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
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Marking the continued strong growth of Irish business in the UK, Enterprise Ireland is today hosting a trade visit to London, led by Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar. During the 1-day trade visit, the Tánaiste will attend a UK and Ireland business leaders’ networking dinner at the Mansion House in London, also marking the tenure of Vincent Keaveny, the first Irish person to be appointed as the Lord Mayor of the City of London. 65 high growth Enterprise Ireland client companies will attend this event alongside their UK partners. Combined, these Irish companies employ over 20,000 people in Ireland and have exports of over €1 billion to the UK.
Coinciding with the visit and reflective of the growth opportunities for Irish business in the UK, a number of Enterprise Ireland client companies announced new deals and partnerships:
The UK market continues to be a strategically important market for Irish exporters, with significant opportunities, helping UK organisations meet their sustainability goals and digitalise their businesses. Business opportunities also remain in established sectors including infrastructure, aerospace, healthcare, logistics, financial services and retail.
Exports by Enterprise Ireland clients to the UK reached their highest levels in 2021, growing by 15% to €8.4 billion and now account for 31% of total exports. Over 1,600 Enterprise Ireland clients export to the UK, including 112 first time exporters to the market.
Leading the trade visit to London, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, said:
"The UK remains one of Ireland’s most important trade partners. This visit marks a buoyant time for Irish businesses in the UK, with record levels of exports and strong growth opportunities. Irish companies currently employ over 117,000 people in Britain. By working closely together, building on partnerships and forming new ones, such as the new deals announced today, we hope to create more jobs and prosperity for both countries."
Leo Clancy, Enterprise Ireland CEO, said:
"The UK is and will remain our largest market and will be of continued strategic importance for Irish exporters. As reflected in strong growth figures for our clients, the UK presents business opportunities for established and new exporters. Our clients are hugely ambitious for the market, which we are seeing through their levels of expansion, contract wins, and new presences established in the UK, and the number of new first-time exporters to the market. Enterprise Ireland and our clients remain agile in our response to the evolving nature of the new trading relationship, and we continue to deliver support to clients through market insights and our Brexit Adjustment Initiative."