US trade mission opportunity for Fingal’s finest

LOCAL craftworkers from Fingal are being invited to
participate in an export trade mission to the USA being organised by the Fingal
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 US and takes place in Secaucus New Jersey from April 21-24.
Hundreds of buyers from Irish and Celtic Stores from across the USA and Canada
will visit the show, where Fingal craft-workers will showcase their products,
opening doors to the massive US

‘ethnic Irish’ giftware market.

In 2011, Fingal 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
Fingal-based craftworkers 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 craftworkers 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.

?

Fingal’s Finest is an initiative of the Fingal County
Enterprise Board and applicants can request further details by calling
01-8900800 or visiting www.fingalceb.ie.