Ireland Russia Business Association

By Limelight Communications

Economist Constantin Gurdgiev criticises current Government thinking; event hears of 19% increase in Irish exports to Russia

A business event co-hosted by Dublin City Council and the Ireland Russia Business Association (IRBA) on Monday, 11^th March 2013 heard Enterprise Ireland announce a 19% increase in Irish exports in goods to Russia from 2011 to 2012.  The event heard that the months through November  2012, the export figure from Ireland to Russia was €603million, excluding services.  Peter Finnegan, Director of Economy and International Relations with Dublin City Council commented that a key element of Ireland’s recovery rested with business development into the emerging Russian Market.  Business expansion into and inward investment from Russia had the potential to create significant jobs.  Dublin’s Russian Festival focused on the potential for increasing business with, and attracting investment from, Russia.

Chairman of the IRBA, respected economist and commentator Constantin Gurdgiev provided participants with an insight into the trade dynamics between Ireland and Russia.  He challenged current Irish policy and thinking.  He emphasised the urgent need to establish Ireland’s reputation as a platform for entry by companies from BRIC economies and other emerging and middle income markets into North American and European Markets.  He observed that in his view, too many Russians still think of Ireland as part of England and hold other stereotypes.  He also encouraged Irish business to see Russia as a platform for entry into the Central Asia Marketplace and also into the countries of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).

Read more…