PR firm paver Smith, Liverpool Food and Craft School and K2 Architects are among 60 UK firms on flights to Dublin today for a spot of networking.
It is part of the largest Export Insight visit organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).
The trip is part of a drive by UKTI to stimulate economic growth by introducing more companies to exporting.
Also joining the Liverpool party are Sutcliffe, Deci Ltd and Document Direct. SOG Ltd from Runcorn, Polaris Media Management from Ellesmere Port and Cloud4Computers from Leigh are also attending in order to “find out more about boosting their business with export sales”.
The two-day visit, organised by UKTI North West, will aim to give new and inexperienced exporters the opportunity to benefit from a programme of networking and training events, including a welcome from Ambassador Dominick Chilcott, presentations from Simon McKeever, Director of UKTI Ireland and various senior directors and partners from a range of Irish companies, covering topics such as banking, professional and legal service, logistics, marketing, business culture and legal issues.
As many of the companies on the visit are from the food and drink sector, a trip to Dublin food stores has been arranged.
The Export Insight visits, which cost just £99 for two days, excluding Guinness, aim to provide an affordable way to introduce businesses to the principles of international trade, and will give companies a comprehensive introduction to help them expand their business horizons.
Residents in Ireland spend an average of £3,558 on British goods every year, and the country is currently the North West’s fifth largest export market. The value of exports from the region during 2011/12 was estimated at £1.2 billion.
Ireland is also the UK’s largest importer of food and drink products, and the country’s young population – with a third of people aged between 25 and 44 – makes it attractive to exporters.
