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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT, MARY ROBINSON, AT A BREAKFAST MEETING FOR MEMBERS OF THE IRISH TRADE MISSION

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT, MARY ROBINSON, AT A BREAKFAST MEETING FOR MEMBERS OF THE IRISH TRADE MISSION TO SOUTH AFRICA

The close ties between Ireland and South Africa go back many years. In the past, thousands of Irish people came to work and live in South Africa and were active, not alone in business and commercial life, but in education, medicine and in public life. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 350,000 people of Irish descent living in South Africa.

This week, some 37 Irish companies are taking part in a trade mission to South Africa, organised by the Irish Trade Board in association with the Ireland/South Africa Trade Association. The products and services offered by Irish companies taking part in this trade mission are diverse, covering industrial products, international services, food and consumer goods. The size of the two Irish trade missions and the increased number of Irish companies selling in South Africa underline the tremendous interest and enthusiasm of Irish companies and organisations in developing solid, long-term relationships with companies in South Africa.

Sixteen months ago, the biggest ever Irish overseas trade mission visited South Africa and the companies taking part were delighted with the warm reception they received and with the many positive new business partnership opportunities which were generated. There are now some 200 Irish companies doing business in South Africa and the Irish trade mission visiting South Africa this week is keen to build on the excellent relationships and to further accelerate two-way trade between our countries. Two active organisations - the Ireland/South Africa Trade Association in Ireland and its counterpart South Africa Ireland Trade Association here in South Africa - have been very helpful in promoting mutual trade and opening doors of opportunity.

Irish-South African trade may well be fairly modest in relation to the total external trade of both countries but the impressive achievements of the past few years, when trade between our two countries trebled, show that there are tremendous opportunities for us to do more business together. Ireland exports to more than 200 countries world-wide and, outside of Europe, South Africa is now our twelfth biggest overseas market.

South Africa's new era of reconciliation and reconstruction has set an example to the world. We believe that Irish companies are well positioned to make a contribution to your Government's far-reaching developing programme. Ireland's economic experience and the capabilities of Irish companies give it a special relevance in this context.

Ireland's economy is trade-driven to a greater extent than most other countries in the world. Exports as a percentage of GDP is one of the highest in the world. Ireland's export-generated trade balance is the highest in the OECD and underpins much of the country's economic development. This performance is the outcome of Ireland's decision in the early 1960s to make a radical switch in its economic direction - which relied on the export of agricultural commodities to our next-door neighbour Britain - with a vigorous campaign to attract overseas investment, encourage local entrepreneurs, improve the infrastructure, develop tourism and commit the economy to open trade policies.

The effect was to transform Ireland from a predominantly agricultural country into one of the most vibrant industrial economies in Europe. Encouraged by financial and tax supports, more than one thousand overseas-owned companies established in Ireland, giving the country a diversified portfolio of economic activity that included electronics, computer manufacture and software, automotive, avionics and aerospace engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical and healthcare, food and consumer products, and a wide range of international services.

Since 1970 Irish exports have grown remarkably and this year are forecast to reach IR£ 29 billion (or 180 billion RAND). The European Union, of which Ireland has been a full member since 1973, accounts for more than 75% of Ireland's exports. Many of the international companies which established in Ireland did so to take advantage of Ireland as a gateway to Europe.

For countries and business outside Europe, Ireland's active development of markets in Continental Europe and Scandinavia and increased access to the fast growing economies of central Europe such as Hungary and Poland, has made it an ideal partner for joint ventures. I believe that the rapid growth of trade between Ireland and South Africa also creates wider scope for partnership between Irish and South Africa companies in developing market opportunities in Europe as well as in Africa.

I would like, on behalf of the Irish companies taking part in this trade mission, to express our appreciation for the warmth of your welcome and for the positive response among officials and business people in South Africa to further expanding two-way trade between our two countries.