Local businesses to showcase products in US

EIGHT small local businesses are crossing the Atlantic this month to showcase their products to potential US buyers, hoping to secure combined export sales in excess of E200,000 over the next 12 months.

Supported by Fingal County Enterprise Board,

‘Fingal’s Finest’ are attending the

‘Ireland Show’, from April 21 to 24 in New Jersey.

One of the United States’ largest

‘Irish’ trade shows, attended by hundreds of influential buyers and industry leaders every year, it offers Irish companies a unique opportunity to meet and impress key representatives from the lucrative Irish-American gifts and crafts market.

The eight Fingal-based companies represent the jewellery, art and design, giftware and heraldic goods sectors.

Last year, small businesses from Fingal attending the

‘Ireland Show’ secured an impressive

?¬70,000 in direct export orders with

?¬200,000 in combined export orders projected for the rest of last year.

This year’s attendees are keen to emulate this achievement, with pre-arranged meetings with American buyers and enterprise development executives already set up by the enterprise boards.

Oisín Geoghegan, chief executive of Fingal County Enterprise Board, said the entrepreneurs are expecting to secure substantial orders.

“This event is an opportunity for smaller companies to reach global markets they would otherwise find difficult to access,

? he stated.

“Exposure to these influential international buyers can lead to new markets, higher sales and increased employment.

?

Mr Geoghegan added:

“It also improves their business knowledge, making small companies adaptable and competitive in an increasingly international marketplace.

?

Irish Linen House (embroidered table linen), O’ Gowna (ogham script gifts and Titanic memorabilia), Privatmark (heraldic keyrings), Crystal Eire (crystal giftwear), O’Rourke Art and Design (original art and prints), Heraldic Gifts (gift plaques), Exclusively Irish (handmade cards and prints) and Sinéad Cooke (jewellery) are the companies travelling to the US.