5.12 Geneva – World Intellectual

Property Organisation (WIPO)

science and technology, Innovation 2020.

Figure from page 49

an ongoing basis at the organisation’s headquarters in Geneva.

copyright and related rights and law of patents.

the Ireland’s development as an innovation driven economy.

Chapter 6

Looking Ahead

Ireland is a small, open economy trading in a global economic environment which is becoming increasingly complex. International developments present us with many challenges and opportunities in relation to competition for mobile investment and the development and growth of indigenous business. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, working closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, will continue to

The Department will continue its active engagement at European and international level to influence for policy and regulations that enables Irish companies to compete in world markets. Together with EU Member States and working collaboratively with other Government Departments, Agencies and its teams of officials in Irish Embassies abroad, the Department will continue to advocate for international trade policies that support wider global objectives such as the response to the current global pandemic crisis and the challenge of environmental sustainability.

Ongoing EU Free Trade Agreements that are being negotiated and nearing completion, with key partners such as Australia and New Zealand, will enable Irish companies to exploit new trading benefits and increase exports to these markets. The Department will promote the benefits of these economic partnerships to stakeholders in Ireland and will continue to promote the utilisation of the European Commission’s Access2market tool to help Irish SME increase their exports.

• enhance our ability to sell goods and services into international markets

• attract foreign direct investment to Ireland; and

• build long lasting and meaningful relationships with international partners of excellence to deliver on Ireland’s ambition to become a global innovation leader.

Building on decades of trading relations with the UK, this Department together with other Government Departments, will continue working to strengthen and develop trading relations with the UK, to secure supply chains as well as employment and exports in those sectors that benefit from our bilateral trading relationship. At the same time, we are focussed on diversifying the geographical reach of our exports into other regions.

Working with both Agencies, the Department is actively engaged in a programme of virtual trade promotional events while also preparing for the return to physical trade missions later this year.

We will continue to drive the development and delivery of enterprise development programmes to ensure Ireland continues to be promoted as the best small country in the world to do business.

In addition, we will continue working on sector initiatives of interest to Ireland to ensure companies develop competencies and competitiveness for trading in world markets, as well as providing the right trading environment for mobile investment.

The Department is committed in 2021 to establishing a new Trade and Investment Council that will develop a national Trade and Investment Strategy to support Irish businesses. Collaborating across Government and with relevant State agencies, as well as with industry stakeholders, this new strategy will reinvigorate and recalibrate Irish trade and investment policy for the years ahead.

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