Ireland is the UK’s fourth largest export market, after the US, Germany and France, worth £16.2bn in 2005, up 15% on the previous year.  Scotland’s manufactured exports to the market currently stand at £227m – a 21 % increase from the previous year. It is the only major world market where the UK is the dominant supplier and is the UK’s largest market for clothing, footwear, food and building materials. The UK is also the third largest investor in Ireland, after the US and Germany.

Ireland is a major customer for products and services of all kinds and its young population makes it an attractive destination for exporters. Opportunities exist across a range of sectors but are strong in the Construction, Energy, Environment, Food and Drink, Healthcare, Renewables, and Transport sectors.

The trade mission was based in Dublin from Monday 1 to Wednesday 3 October 2007. This trade mission offered an excellent vehicle to first time exporters and companies looking to break into the Irish market.