Taoiseach Leads Trade Mission to Japan

An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, T.D., departed Ireland yesterday (Sunday 11th January) to lead the biggest ever Irish trade mission to Japan. He is accompanied by Mr Brendan Smith, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Mr John McGuinness, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Enterprise Ireland mission of 70 Irish companies and organisations will visit Tokyo and Osaka. The mission includes many of the key internationally traded sectors in the Irish economy such as information and communication technologies, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technologies, aeronautical, engineering, and financial services, high-value consumer goods, and food.

Japan is the second largest economy in the world and has played an important role in the global economy over the last forty years. Ireland is the fourth biggest exporter and the biggest exporter per capita to Japan in the EU.

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