Martin embarks on US trade mission
Contracts worth €55m for Irish firms in the US will be announced during a week-long transatlantic trade mission which starts today.
Minister for Trade and Employment Micheál Martin will lead the Enterprise Ireland-organised visit to New York, Boston and Washington DC.
More than 200 Irish companies now employ over 80,000 people across all 50 states.
A total of 24 client companies of Enterprise Ireland have opened offices in the US since the beginning of the year.
In addition, more than 20 US firms have been acquired by Irish companies during the past 12 months.
Mr Martin said: "A new generation of Irish entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the huge business opportunities that are available in the US.
"The US remains a significant market for Irish enterprise with exports worth over €1.1bn.
"The future success of the Irish economy will be influenced by many factors - not least the strong ties between Ireland and the US and the emergence and growth of upcoming Irish hi-tech businesses."
Enterprise Ireland said Irish companies continue to win significant business in this market despite the weakness of the dollar.
"The last number of years has seen phenomenal growth in Irish investment in the US. This, in turn, is driving the ambition levels within Irish industry to significantly grow their international business," said Tom Cusack, Enterprise Ireland's director for the Americas.
"Enterprise Ireland is working proactively to encourage new entrants to this market and assist them in securing business quickly as well as working with more advanced companies on achieving scale."
Minister Martin will hold meetings with Enterprise Ireland clients and potential US investors during the trade mission.
