To 'Russia With Love' For Irish

There has been a major 'thaw' in Irish relations with the former Eastern block with news that deals for new export sales worth over €9 million were signed by firms in the Republic during this week's trade mission in Russia.

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher today announced the success for 30 top Irish firms on the trade mission, which was organised by the Government's indigenous job creation agency, Enterprise Ireland.

The firms were from a range of sectors including engineering, construction, food and drink, education, business services and information communications technology.

Irish high-tech firms Digisoft, Adaptive Mobile, OpenJaw and Norkom Technologies were among those that landed lucrative new sales deals.

Trinity College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology announced partnership agreements with higher education institutions in Russia.

Minister Kelleher described the trade mission as "another important step in Ireland’' economic recovery".

He said: "Our economic recovery will be export-led and the Government's strategy is to target markets such as Russia with high growth potential that can generate revenues and jobs for Irish firms.

"The €9.2 million worth of deals we landed here this week will create jobs back home and add momentum to our economic recovery.

"The trade mission has laid important foundations on which we can build a better trading and bilateral and trading relationship with Russia," said Minister Kelleher.

The trade mission was timed to coincide with President Mary McAleese's visit to Russia who was told that Russia is Europe's largest emerging market.

Irish exports to the country grew by over 66% in the first five months of this year.

Ireland is the seventh largest provider of foreign direct investment to Russia ahead of the US and Japan.

(BMcC/KMcA)