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ADDRESS AT A LUNCH FOR MEMBERS OF THE IRISH TRADE MISSION

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

On behalf of the some 37 Irish companies who are taking part in this week's major trade mission to South Africa, I would like to say how pleased they are to be here and to express appreciation and thanks to the Government officials, trade organisations and South African companies who have facilitated this visit and are clearly as committed and enthusiastic as we are in developing even stronger trade links between Ireland and South Africa.

The companies represent a wide variety of industrial products, international consultancy and services, the food sector and consumer products. Most of the companies represented are already doing business with South Africa; others are here for the first time to explore business opportunities.

Trade between our two countries has been expanding at a remarkable rate in recent years. Since 1992, Irish exports to South Africa have trebled in value, from 250 million RAND to 750 million RAND (or an estimated IR£120 million), and there has been a similar threefold growth in South African exports to Ireland. These figures are significant, particularly from an Irish perspective.

Outside of the European Union, where we do the greater part of our trade, South Africa is now Ireland's twelfth largest market. This impressive performance reflects our belief that there are even greater opportunities ahead for increasing bilateral trade and business partnerships between our two countries.

The fact that, in South Africa today, more than 350,000 of its citizens can claim Irish descent underpins the strong historic ties between Ireland and South Africa. Ireland has welcomed the emergence of the new South Africa and the Government's policy of reconciliation and reconstruction and its development programmes designed to bring prosperity to all its people mirror our aspirations and intentions in the island of Ireland.

Ireland is fully supportive of South Africa as it builds a new future and the growth in trade between our countries indicates our keen interest in making a positive contribution to this development.

Because of our strong ties there is a positive image of Ireland in South Africa. One of the purposes of this trade mission is to deepen this awareness and, in particular, to show how Ireland's modern industrial base, its economic experience in recent decades and the capabilities of its companies give us a special relevance to doing business with South Africa.

Ireland is a young nation. In terms of age, we have the youngest population in Europe, well educated and enterprising. Our perspective is outward-looking. We have one of the most export-led economies in the world. Two-thirds of Ireland's output is sold abroad and we rely on international trade to fuel economic growth, improve living standards and create jobs.

Since the 1960s, Ireland has undergone the experience of redirecting a protected economy into a total commitment to open trade. We have successfully made the transition from an isolated and mainly agricultural country into establishing a modern industrial base, with the capability to supply world markets with quality products and services.

Ireland's success in attracting inward investment has been exceptional. More than 1,000 of the world's leading multinational companies operate in Ireland, giving us a broad spread of technology-led economic activity. These multinational companies have had an additional impact on trade by stimulating the development of local enterprise, including the creation of flourishing sub-contract and component supply industries. Local enterprises have become the fastest growing sectors of Irish trade, and now account for one-fifth of all exports.

In addition to industrial and consumer products, Ireland has achieved an international reputation as a leading supplier of consultancy expertise in virtually all the key areas of economic and social development and many companies in these service sectors are currently active in South Africa: in education and training, healthcare and medicine, agribusiness and tourism, project management and telecommunications, and financial and legal services.

Ireland has been a full member of what is now the European Union since 1973 and our economy has benefited from being part of this great single market of 15 nations and 370 million people. More than 75% of Ireland's trade is with the European Union and we are also building new markets in the fast developing economies of middle and Eastern Europe.

The 1990s has become the age of global trade. The recent GATT Agreement and the inauguration of the new World Trade Organisation signal a more integrated global economy and it is expected that the effect will be a huge increase in world trade that will be cumulative in its positive impact year by year from now right into the next century. Regional groupings, whether in Europe or elsewhere, have an important role in stimulating trade across the world.

The immediate purpose of this trade mission is to further expand bilateral trade between Ireland and South Africa. But there are also immense opportunities for Irish and South African companies to forge partnerships which will position them to enter other markets together. Ireland is, in many ways, an excellent gateway to Europe for South African businesses and, similarly, Irish companies, working with their South African contacts can together generate new business in the larger African market.

I would again like to thank you for your friendship and hospitality. Already this trade mission has had many positive indications of the scope for new business growth and even stronger trade links between our two economies.