Irish Trade Mission to Canada – October 18th – 21st 2009

L to R: Declan Kelly, Ireland's Ambassador to Canada; Tom Cusack, Manager Enterprise Ireland Americas; Sandra O'Farrell, Ruth O'Donnell, Nick Marmion, (EI Toronto); An Tanaiste Mary Coughlan; Frank Ryan, CEO EI; Heather Thompson, Laura Coyle, Marguerite Bourke (EI Toronto); Paschal Maguire, Press & PR EI Dublin.
 

Now, more than ever Irish companies are looking to the Canadian market, which has shown a lot of resilience in the face of the global economic crisis. More than 220 Irish companies now sell goods and services into Canada, and over 45 Irish companies operate offices and facilities in Canada.

Accordingly in October, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, T.D. led the largest ever Irish trade mission to Canada, spanning Edmonton, Toronto and Ottowa. The focus of the mission was to increase the profile and highlight the achievements of world class Irish companies who have successfully broken into the Canadian market.

The trade mission centered around 35 high tech Irish companies who are doing business in Canada, The mission was memorable with many of our companies announcing high profile deals and partnerships including:

• Lincor Solutions Ltd, a Cork based company, announced a multimillion Euro contract to install its innovative MEDIVista solution in the renowned London Health Sciences Center (LHSC), in Ontario Canada. The initial phase of the contract involves installation at 300 beds of the 1,000 bed LHSC campus.
  
• IdentiGEN announced the establishment of a subsidiary in Canada as part of its growing business in that region. IdentiGEN provides DNA-based meat traceability solutions to scientifically track meat from the farm to the retail store.
  
• The Leading Edge Group, who specialize in developing international educational and training programs, signed a partnership with the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) which will to increase efficiencies among healthcare professionals and improve organizational performance.
  
• S3 Group Silicon & Software Systems Ltd (S3), a world leading provider of mixed-signal semiconductor IP solutions, announced a licensing partnership with Intellon Corporation – a leader in powerline communications technology.
  
• Bórd na Mona a very recognizable Irish brand signed a distribution agreement with Canada’s EMCO Waterworks Division for its Puraflo® system - the eco-friendly, high- performance, low-energy natural solution for residential and community wastewater treatment applications.
  
• 3V launched its flagship pay-as-you-go VISA voucher product in Canada in conjunction with People’s Card Services, a division of Peoples Trust Bank and Ventek Systems lnc. Launched in October 2005 in Ireland, 3V now has over 400,000 customers and operates in both Ireland and the UK.

On conclusion of mission, the Tánaiste announced that the trade mission resulted in over €10m of business for Irish-owed companies.

On average ten Irish companies set up in Canada every year. Enterprise Ireland Canada will continue to work closely with Irish companies who are looking to explore the Canadian market.  Bilateral trade between Ireland and Canada is expected to increase by €80 million this year, and sales into Canada by Irish companies have trebled in the past five years.

Marguerite Bourke, Enterprise Ireland - Canada