The Minister for Jobs departs on a trade mission go the Gulf and India today where he'll spend nine days on a trade and investment tour with 63 Irish companies

Richard Bruton will head the mission organised by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

The trip involves a total of 63 Irish companies, and comprises 53 meetings and events. 

Seven cities will be covered – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, New Delhi and Mumbai while 37 meetings will go ahead with the aim of increasing Irish exports.

Minister Bruton said: “A key focus of measures in place are high-growth emerging markets like India and the Gulf region which are the target of this mission.

I have visited both of these markets on several occasions since taking office, and what is clear is that there are real opportunities here, both for Irish exporting companies to win export sales, and for Ireland to attract multinational companies.

"What is also clear is that consistent, sustained work is needed in order to take advantage of these opportunities.

“This trade mission is a key part of that plan, and I am confident that it will result in concrete results, in the form of extra sales for Irish companies and new investments in Ireland from multinational companies, over the coming weeks and months”.