REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT AN ENTERPRISE IRELAND BUSINESS BREAKFAST, THE SHERATON PARK TOWERS
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT AN ENTERPRISE IRELAND BUSINESS BREAKFAST, THE SHERATON PARK TOWERS, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
A cháirde. Tá an-áthas orm bheith anseo libh ar maidin i Buenos Aires. Mo bhuíochas libh as an fáilte a thug sibh dom.
Buenos días a todos; Me alegro mucho estar de visita en Argentina por primera vez.
I am delighted to be here today, on my first visit to Argentina and I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for your welcome.
Argentina's tradition of hospitality and welcome to Irish people goes back many generations to the emergence of Argentina as an independent nation. In fact, long before the modern age of almost instantaneous communications, the distance from Ireland to Argentina didn't stop many Irish people coming to this country to build new lives for themselves. They came from many parts of Ireland and they still speak with Irish accents!
They and their descendants have made many notable contributions in all walks of life - business, cultural and community - to the development of your nation. There is a very strong and highly respected Irish community in Argentina today. I have no doubt that this is one of the reasons we have received such a warm welcome, and why Irish business people are successful in developing such a good rapport with their Argentinean counterparts.
This morning, I have the pleasure of introducing a trade mission of Irish companies to our friends in Argentina. These represent a cross-section of consumer, industrial and internationally trade services sectors. Our previous trade mission to Argentina a few years ago was extremely successful and we are delighted to meet with your official trade representatives and local business interests both to renew well-established relationships and explore opportunities for doing business together.
The Irish companies who have travelled here are focused on key sections of your economy where we have matching strengths, such as information technologies and telecommunications, financial, engineering and environmental services and education.
We have to admit that in absolute terms, the level of trade between our two countries is small. In geographical terms, a considerable distance separates us. But in today's business environment of information technology, physical difference is increasingly irrelevant. Trade between our two countries has been growing steadily and the potential for developing stronger trade links and trading partnerships in the years ahead is significant.
There is keen interest among Irish business people in developing more business with Argentina. In recent years, a number of Irish companies have made significant investments here and others have developed partnerships with their local counterparts. The Irish companies taking part in this mission represent a wide cross-section of consumer, industrial and internationally traded services. Their diversity will tell you something of what Ireland has to offer as a trading partner.
I would like to say a few words about Ireland’s current economic performance. The Irish economy continues to be one of the leading economic growth performers in the industrialised world. In the past five years, our average annual growth was more than three times that of the EU and OECD countries, and one of the highest anywhere in the world.
Even in the context of the current global economic challenges, Ireland’s projected growth over the next few years is forecast to remain well ahead of the OECD average, and we are set to maintain its position as one of the world’s growth leaders.
Ireland is a longstanding member of the European Union and currently holds the Presidency of the Union. In May, we will witness the historic enlargement of the Union from 15 to 25 Member States, which will bring its citizenship to over 450 million people. In economic and trade terms, the European Union will be the world’s largest single market. We intend to mark this historic event with a very big celebration party in Dublin and many other parts of Ireland.
Our success in eliminating trade barriers between neighbouring countries must spur us on to creating a truly global marketplace of mutual opportunity and prosperity. The continued pace of trade liberalisation throughout South America is impressive. It is very important to world trade growth that regional free trade bodies such as the European Union and Mercosur provide the stimulus for trade liberalisation on a global basis. Ireland and Argentina are well positioned to contribute to this process of building bridges across the regions and, specifically, between Europe and South America.
As you might expect, the European market is Ireland's principal trading area, accounting for three-quarters of all our exports. Like most countries, the greater part of Ireland’s trade is intra-regional, but our exporters are increasingly global in their perspective. Ireland is now a trading nation with an increasingly global perspective.
This trade mission can help to increase direct trade between Ireland and Argentina but can also explore opportunities for companies in both countries to form strategic partnerships. Argentina is not only a major market in itself for Irish business but is also an excellent location for developing business throughout the South American region.
Ireland offers excellent opportunities to companies in Argentina who are seeking business partnerships in product development, marketing, sourcing and other areas.
This has particular relevance for companies in Argentina that are doing business or planning expansion in the European Union. I think you will find that Ireland is the ideal Gateway to Europe. Partnerships and joint ventures can be the most effective and relatively risk-free way to penetrate new markets. Ireland has many companies, of proven excellence and performance, with the market access, the knowledge and the track record to partner you in Europe.
Our host at this meeting, Enterprise Ireland, is the trade and technology board of the Irish Government, and it assists Irish companies to become world-class manufacturers and global suppliers. In addition to supporting Irish companies, Enterprise Ireland also offers a range of services to help potential partners and professional buying teams to identify and evaluate the opportunities for working with Ireland.
I believe that I am making this visit at a particularly opportune time and, as the warmth of your reception indicates, we can look forward to a significant expansion of business and trade between our two countries in the years ahead. I believe that this Irish trade mission to Argentina can start the process of opening a dynamic new phase in our commercial relationship, encouraging both Irish and Argentine companies to identify ways in which they can work together.
Let me again express my thanks for the welcome and goodwill we have been receiving and for the positive indications that there is very real scope for increased trade and business partnership between Ireland and Argentina.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.
Muchas gracias.