Enterprise Ireland (EI) hosted its International Markets Week (IMW) bringing to Dublin key representatives from its 33 worldwide offices. The annual event took place at the RDS, Dublin, 16th-19th Oct.

IMW is a great opportunity for Geoscience Ireland (GI) and its Member Companies to gain first-hand knowledge of key sectors and regions from EI Market Managers and Advisors in GI’s target markets including the UK, the Gulf, Africa, the Nordics and France.

The French and Nordic regions reported growth in infrastructure construction; the latter outlined positive movement in the renewable and clean energy markets across Scandinavia.

Sub-Saharan Africa also remains a key market for GI Member Companies and GI will be leading a Market Study Visit to Ethiopia and Kenya in late-November; GI will be working closely with EI and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in delivering this.

The EI UK Team advised that Brexit-related uncertainty is impacting investment decisions and commercial construction. There was a strong Brexit theme at IMW with EI Advisors meeting with client companies regarding strategic sourcing and understanding supply chains; EI also outlined its suite of strategies and grants available to Irish exporters.

According to EI’s IMW survey, 84% of companies plan to diversify into new international markets, while almost 32% will continue to expand into the UK.

On Brexit, Sean Finlay, Director of GI, said: “GI targets commercial projects and tenders in over 50 countries and will continue to assist its Member Companies in diversifying into to new markets. Over twenty GI Companies deliver projects in the UK and are concerned about the ramifications of Brexit; such projects have been hard-won and GI Members have established great relationships with the end-client, GI will continue to support its Members which have sustained their presence in the UK.”