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A number of Irish agricultural businesses are taking part in the Minister for Business’ trade mission to New Zealand this week. Enterprise Ireland client companies; Abbey Machinery, Combilift, Keenan, Dairymaster, Malone Machinery, Major Equipment, ProDig and HiSpec are all on the trip which is being led by Heather Humphreys.
The trade mission is part of a wider plan to increase Irish exports to markets outside of the UK to 50% by 2020, while also hoping to attract investment from New Zealand companies into Ireland.
The seven-day trade and investment mission, covering Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch will see the Minister attend Fieldays – the New Zealand equivalent of the Ploughing.
It is the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere and will be attended by over 130,000 people. The Irish stand will exhibit slurry spreaders, feeder wagons, dairy parlour equipment and grass toppers.
The Minister will meet a number of New Zealand Ministers during her visit including the Minister for Trade and Export Growth, David Parker and Minister for Agriculture, Damien O’Connor.
Common focus and challenges
“Ireland and New Zealand have a long and very positive trade history, particularly in the agri business sector, and the Government is determined to build on that. We have similar agricultural markets with a common focus and challenges,” Minister Humphreys said.
Enterprise Ireland has invested in additional presence on the ground in New Zealand and has welcomed the trade mission.
“Expanding the Irish export footprint is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland and we are working closely with Irish industry to pursue realisable opportunities to support greater market diversification throughout the Asia Pacific region,” Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said.
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