Limerick Chamber line-up 16 embassies to give key insights into doing business abroad at Irish Innovation Showcase in Limerick

Four of Ireland’s top five trading partners among the embassies attending LIT run event at Dell’s Raheen Campus, October 4th

Businesses will have a unique opportunity to get key insights from some of the leading and emerging trade partners in Ireland’s €92bn export market thanks to a unique Limerick Chamber initiative for this year’s Irish Innovation Showcase, to be held on Thursday next, October 4th.

The 16 confirmed embassies will have a day-long presence at the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) run event held at Dell’s Raheen campus as they provide key information for Irish exporters and, indeed, importers seeking to develop business with international markets.

Among the embassies will be four of Ireland’s top five trading partners – the UK, Belgium, Germany and France – plus some key emerging markets like Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Argentina and Ukraine.

Over the course of the day there will be an Embassy Row exhibit, with each of the embassies having representatives on stands, giving advice to companies seeking to develop business in these markets. In addition to this, each embassy will also deliver separate talks at the Embassies’ Speakers Corner – a dedicated zone at the showcase where representatives will give ten minute addresses on the key points of doing business in their countries.

The initiative is the first coming together of embassies in such a forum in Ireland and is one of the key elements of what is now the largest enterprise showcase held outside of Dublin.

Other exciting elements of the event include seminars on accessing funding (attended by banks, Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors), international trade and innovation and an opportunity for the exhibitors to win a €25,000 Dragon’s Den style ‘pitchcrawl’ competition.

A limited number of stands are still available for the event but the Showcase is expected to book out in advance so companies seeking to attend are advised to book early. For further information on booking, go to www.irishinnovationshowcase.ie.”

Announcing the embassies’ involvement in the event, Limerick Chamber President Gordon Kearney said: “One of the biggest challenges for companies wanting to develop overseas trade is access to information and advice. We are bringing that to their doorstep at Irish Innovation Showcase.

“Each country differs greatly in terms of what’s required to do business there and this is a one-off opportunity for businesses in this region to get the key insights and contacts they need to develop business into these exciting markets. We will have 16 embassies, ranging from some of Ireland’s leading markets to emerging markets, all ready to assist companies on the day.”

Complimenting Limerick Chamber on the initiative, LIT President Dr Maria Hinfelaar said: “Limerick Chamber is doing an outstanding service for business not just in Limerick but across the region by pulling this aspect of the Showcase together. It’s an opportunity not to be missed for start-up or emerging businesses as this is the first time they will be able to get access to so many embassies at once.

“Ireland, as we all know, is a really strong export nation and we are in a time of great entrepreneurship in this country so there is a greater need than ever for this type of information so that companies can develop trade in these markets. We are delighted that Limerick Chamber has managed to secure the attendance of such an impressive list of embassies.”

The full list of embassies attending, and their speaking times at the event, is:

Argentina
Belgium
Czech Republic
Ethiopia
France
Germany
Lesotho
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Poland
South Africa
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Spain
Latvia

ENDS

For Further Information Contact:
Robert Grealis
t: +353 94 902 9929
m: +353 86 827 0515
e: robert@thediscoverypartnership.com
w: www.thediscoverypartnership.com