Tuesday, 31 January 2012 09:16

Local craft-workers are being invited to participate in an export trade mission being organised by the The County Enterprise Board. Flying under the Fingal’s Finest banner, the aim is to create new export sales opportunities, which in turn will help the participating businesses to create new jobs. The Ireland Show is one of the biggest ‘Irish’ trade shows in the U.S. and takes place in New Jersey from 21st to 24th April next. Hundreds of buyers from Irish and Celtic Stores from across the USA and Canada will visit the trade show, where North County craft-workers will showcase their products, opening doors to the massive US ‘ethnic Irish’ giftware market. In 2011, the Enterprise Board helped dozens of local small businesses to grow their export sales by organising trade missions and grant-aiding businesses with export potential. In 2012, it intends to expand the export capabilities of many more small businesses. Applications are currently being invited from North County based craft workers to participate in the forthcoming trade mission, which is the first in a series of export initiatives planned for 2012. The six small businesses selected will have to demonstrate that they have potential to export to the US gift market. Speaking at the announcement of the initiative, Oisin Geoghegan CEO of the Fingal Enterprise Board commented: “The world is getting smaller and with domestic sales declining, we have to look to market opportunities that have not yet been fully exploited. The costs of engaging in an export trade mission to the US for a small business as a solo run are extremely high. By collaborating together, and with the support of the Enterprise Board, our craft-workers are now able to benefit from economies of scale so that they can exploit foreign opportunities and punch well above their weight, reaching global markets,” he concluded.