More companies will have the opportunity to trade abroad following the launch of a Government initiative on exports.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton announced the scheme which is expected to benefit 1,800 companies this year and boost exports by €3 billion by 2015.
“If we are to see the jobs recovery we so badly need, we must create a powerful engine of indigenous enterprise,” said Mr Bruton. “While exports continue to grow strongly, we must ensure that we achieve a substantial improvement in the export performance of Irish businesses.”
The initiative will see Enterprise Ireland establish a new Potential Exporters Division which will provide practical support to local companies looking to branch into foreign markets and aims to increase the number of firms who receive a special exporter grant by 60 per cent this year.
“I am determined that with the continued implementation of the action plan for jobs in 2012 and beyond, a new generation of exporters can drive our recovery and support the employment growth we are working so hard to achieve,” Mr Bruton said.
Mr Bruton, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore announced a separate scheme under the Government’s action plan for jobs yesterday, aimed at attracting more foreign investment into Ireland.
The Government has promised to create 100,000 jobs across the country by 2016.