Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Washington during Donald Trump’s presidency on March 12, 2020. Photo: Al Drago/Bloombe
As well as being a day when the world celebrates Ireland and honours our history and cultural traditions, St Patrick’s Day also offers our country an opportunity to showcase pioneering and innovative Irish businesses that are having an impact globally.
The United States is synonymous with celebrating St Patrick’s Day. It is the world’s largest consumer market, with a $23trn (€21.7trn) economy. And Irish businesses are increasingly playing a pivotal role, with 650 Irish companies having a base in the US, employing more than 100,000 people at 2500 locations across all 50 states.
Exports from Enterprise Ireland-supported companies to the US were €4.4bn in 2021. Our transatlantic partners now account for 18pc of total exports from Enterprise Ireland-supported companies, our third largest international market.
The value of Irish-origin, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the US last year was $269bn, an increase of 14pc since 2019, making Ireland the ninth-largest source of FDI.
Trade events in our international markets are crucially important for establishing and strengthening collaborative relationships and partnerships.
In honour of St Patrick’s week, Enterprise Ireland has developed a strategic programme of trade events, working alongside our Team Ireland colleagues, to optimise the potential each St Patrick’s Day brings and to help create new opportunities for Irish businesses.
This programme of trade events is being led by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with a number of Government ministers.
This programme includes events and meetings throughout the country to emphasise the importance of collaboration and to put a spotlight on the innovative Irish enterprise sector.
There are many areas of growth and opportunity for Irish innovators in the US.
As Ireland has a long history and culture of artisans, food production and exports, Enterprise Ireland is hosting a Food Evolution event in Washington DC, which will showcase food production and R&D.
There are many potential areas of growth for Irish companies in the US.