Strong 2022 for the Irish Exporters Association
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The Irish Exporters Association (IEA), the organisation representing the interests of the Irish exporting industry, has today published its summary of its 2022 activities. The top highlights of the year are:
- The top five countries for visa applications were Nigeria, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, and India, although business travel remains a fraction of pre-pandemic levels,
- Demand for visa and legalisation services increased by 8% and 10% respectively,
- 1,300 professionals were trained in Good Distribution Practice (GDP), customs and compliance related courses. The IEA’s GDP Passport is the industry-standard quality assurance scheme recognising safety and regulatory compliance in the transportation, storage, and safe handling of healthcare products throughout the supply chain,
- The IEA provided written submissions to Government consultations on nine occasions in 2022, and through our membership of 16 different Government stakeholder groups we were able to have significant engagement with senior political stakeholders across both Houses of the Oireachtas,
- The IEA’s Export Series webinars took place on six occasions throughout 2022 engaging with 1,200 professionals,
- We received 69 pieces of media coverage across print, broadcast, and online media,
- We engaged with Government on a number of key issues impacting exporters including inflation, energy, supply chain disruption, the attraction and retention of talent; whilst maintaining our focus on Brexit and market diversification, trade compliance, and sustainability in international trade,
- The IEA launched a new training initiative in September – the Certificate in International Trade. Accredited by Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) consisting of six modules. Our Certificate aims to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the key issues affecting the international trade industry and to meet the challenges the industry faces in a post-Brexit trading environment,
- The IEA’s flagship event, the Export Industry Awards returned in 2022 to great success. Attended by 460 dignitaries and international trade professionals, the 10 categories witnessed stiff competition.
- Dublin based Keogh’s Crisps was crowned overall 2022 Exporter of the Year after winning the Food & Drink Exporter of the Year earlier in the evening.
- The Institute of Sustainable Trade (IST) launched in 2022, with Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, to help drive sustainable and ethical change across the International Trade Sector. It focuses on preparing individuals and companies for a more sustainable future.
Simon McKeever, Chief Executive of the Irish Exporters Association commented:
In 2022, we continued to work on behalf of our members with Government and the EU. Our engagement with various stakeholders gave the IEA a platform to bring our members’ concerns directly to the attention of policy makers and legislators. The input and feedback we received from our members the year afforded us the opportunity to effectively communicate often and clearly on complex issues to Government and Departmental officials, and in the media. It also ensured we effectively responded to a range of Government consultations on their behalf.
Exporters have shown great resilience in dealing with a plethora of challenges in recent years. We believe that education in the workings of international trade and increasingly in the adoption of more sustainable practices is key to Irish exporters’ success. It will be vital to our ability to continue punching above our weight on a global scale, as well as to driving economic growth in Ireland.
I remain confident that Irish exporters will continue to drive economic growth in Ireland and lead the way on the many issues facing businesses in the years to come.
In 2023, we will continue to develop new and innovative solutions to assist our members on issues regarding international trade and we will continue to be the voice of the Irish export industry towards both Government and at a European level on issues at the heart of international trade.”
