Taoiseach to visit Japan in bid to boost agri-food trade

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will visit Japan over the next week as part of efforts to boost trade links.

Taoiseach to visit Japan in bid to boost agri-food trade

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will visit Japan over the next week as part of efforts to boost trade links.

Mr Kenny heads to the Far East tomorrow accompanied by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, as officials work on the significant potential for co-operation and trade in the agri-food sector.

The Government said the trip was arranged following an invitation by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe during his visit to Ireland in June on the back of the G8.

"I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit Japan as part of our ongoing strategy to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and convey to a wider audience the extent of Ireland's progress toward economic recovery," Mr Kenny said.

"Ireland and Japan have a long and well-established political and economic relationship and this visit provides us with an opportunity to develop our economic, political and cultural links further for the mutual benefit of both our countries."

Mr Kenny will hold talks with Mr Abe with a view to agreeing areas for future co-operation and also meet Japanese and Irish R&D companies and businesses in the services sector.

The trip, the first to Japan by a Taoiseach since 2009, runs until December 5.

The Taoiseach will speak at a symposium on green energy, co-organised with the Japan External Trade Organisation, which will highlight opportunities and latest technologies being developed by Irish companies, and give a keynote address on Ireland-Japan relations at the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA).

A large number of company representatives will travel to Japan in conjunction with the official visit.

Mr Kenny will spend two days in Tokyo and then travel to Nagoya and Osaka to meet Irish and Japanese business leaders to promote trade, investment and business-to-business links.

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will be on their first visit to Japan at the same time as the Taoiseach.

On Tuesday they will meet Irish Ambassador John Neary and attend an embassy reception with the Taoiseach.

A meeting is scheduled later in the week with Mr Abe.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

FILE PHOTO The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has cleared the purchase of Goodbody Stockbrokers by AIB END Goodbody Stockbrokers fined over €1.2m by Central Bank over rules breaches
Nottingham City Centre Stock Irish staff at the Body Shop wait for wages as retailer shuts stores in the Republic
Ryanair comments on Norwegian Ryanair boss O'Leary's spat with Transport Minister over Dublin Airport escalates
IE logo
Devices


UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE IRISH EXAMINER FOR TEAMS AND ORGANISATIONS
FIND OUT MORE

The Business Hub
Newsletter

News and analysis on business, money and jobs from Munster and beyond by our expert team of business writers.

Sign up
ie logo
Puzzles Logo

Play digital puzzles like crosswords, sudoku and a variety of word games including the popular Word Wheel

Lunchtime News
Newsletter

Keep up with the stories of the day with our lunchtime news wrap.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited