Exporting

Members of the Ireland France Chamber of Commerce (IFCC) have seen been a modest to positive increase in business performance over the last three months, according to a new survey. According to the findings, 50pc of IFCC members have seen an increase in business activity levels over the past three months while 8pc increased the average price they charge for the same period. Seventy-five percent said they had maintained or increased business revenues over the period. Some 94pc expect to maintain or increase business revenues over the next three months Seventy-nine percent said the rate of incoming business to be level or higher in the last quarter compared to the…

Ireland ranked eighth in world in terms of openness to tradeIan Talbot Ireland has been ranked eighth out of 75 countries worldwide in terms of its openness to trade, according to the latest Open Markets Index issued by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). It is placed fifth in Europe behind Luxembourg, Belgium, Malta and the Netherlands. “As a small island, an open economy is vital to allow for access to larger markets and free movement of capital for investment. Ireland’s ranking is positive news given the importance of foreign direct investment and international trade for our economic wellbeing and particularly to support employment and to create the growth so…

Representatives from 55 Irish-based companies are on a business mission to London today and tomorrow, which represents Dublin Chamber of Commerce’s largest ever international business mission. Companies travelling with the delegation include Arnotts, Hayes Solicitors, Mason Hayes & Curran, ESB, GAA, UCD, Dublin Airport Authority, PwC, City Jet, KPMG, PayPal and Fexco. It will incorporate briefings from UK business leaders, site visits, and a networking reception at the House of Commons, hosted by Tourism Ireland. The briefings are with Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group, Paul Caplis of UK Trade & Investment, Bob Doyle of London Partners, Mark Gregory, chief economist for the UK and Ireland with Ernst…

Almost two-thirds (63pc) of respondents to a new survey from Deloitte identified risk in the extended value chain – comprising vendors and customers and where they have less control – as their greatest concern with regards to supply chain risk. The survey of 600 global executives from manufacturing and retail companies, also found that over half (53pc) said that supply chain disruptions have become more costly over the last three years. As they operate in an environment of escalating risk, 45pc of surveyed executives say their supply chain risk management programmes are only somewhat effective or not effective at all. “Supply chains are increasingly complex and their interlinked, global nature…

An informal meeting of the EU’s Trade Council is taking place at Dublin Castle today and tomorrow, focusing on international trade matters including an EU-US transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP). Chaired by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, the meeting will also be attended by Mike Froman, US deputy national security advisor for international economic affairs and member of the US National Security Council and National Economic Council, who is key figure in the Obama administration on international trade issues. Trade ministers from all EU member states will be attending, as will the EU’s commissioner for trade Karel De Gucht. This is the first time a…

San Fran start-up Lively joins PCH Accelerator programme David Glickman, co-founder, Lively A start-up company focused on activity-sharing products called Lively based in San Francisco in the US has joined Irish firm PCH International’s Accelerator programme. Founded by Iggy Fanlo , David Glickman , and Keith Dutton in 2012, Lively’s activity-sharing experience aims to support an independent lifestyle for older adults by creating new avenues of connection between their families. Glickman explained: “The vast majority of older adults who live on their own are in good overall health and critical day-to-day monitoring isn’t necessary. So many products targeted at them today use fear as a selling tactic, addressing potential mishaps or focusing on emergency response. “We’re intentionally focusing…

Germany’s exports were worth €88.7bn in February 2013, a fall of 2.8pc over February 2012, according to provision figures released today by Destatis, the Federal Statistical Office. Over the same period, the country’s imports fell by 5.9pc to €71.9bn. After calendar and seasonal adjustment, Destatis said exports decreased by 1.5pc and imports were down by 3.8pc compared with January 2013. Germany’s foreign trade balance showed a surplus of €16.8bn in February 2013. A year previously, the surplus had amounted to €14.9bn. According to provisional results of the Deutsche Bundesbank, the current account of the balance of payments showed a surplus of €16bn in February 2013, which included the balance of…

Largest ever group of TY students to head to China University College Cork (UCC) and Shanghai University have arranged a visit to China for 90 Transition Year (TY) students from 32 schools across Ireland. The demand for places on the Easter Camp programme to Shanghai, which runs from 2 to 16 April, was extraordinary according to Professor Fan Hong, director of School of Asian Studies, the Irish Institute of Chinese Studies and the Confucius Institute at UCC. “Beyond the enthusiasm demonstrated by the students themselves, many of their parents were incredibly eager to give their sons and daughters an opportunity they never had – to experience Chinese culture and society…

Irish-owned CEMS-Dalian (CEMS-D) is to develop a centre for ship dismantling and recycling in Zhuanghe near Dalian, one of the busiest ports in the world, located north-east of Beijing. A delegation from Dalian, including city officials and industrialists, is in Ireland this week to meet with government ministers and senior level government officials as well as leading academics in environmental science and maritime engineering. All manner of ship dismantling waste, including hazardous materials, will be recycled or disposed of to the highest standards of environmental safety at the new centre. “We have formed a strategic alliance with a private Chinese company to design, develop and operate a state of the…

Bewley’s will return to the home shopping channel QVC this St Patrick’s Day for the fourth time. According to the Tea Association of America, 2011 was the 20th consecutive year that consumer purchases of tea increased. In 2011 over three billion gallons of tea were consumed. On 17 March, QVC will once again showcase Bewley’s to over 98 million US households. “Given that over 98 million US viewers tune in to QVC, we are delighted to be asked back again for the fourth time to showcase Bewley’s to our US customers,” said Mark Saunders of Bewley’s. “Our export market is important to us and this appearance on QVC will enable…