• Enterprise Ireland client exports to Canada increased to record levels in 2022, reaching an all-time high of €452 million, representing growth of 11% from 2021. 
  • 21 Enterprise Ireland client companies to participate on the Trade Mission, including fintech, construction and life sciences sectors.
  • 65 IDA Ireland client companies from Canada now employing over 8000 people in Ireland.
  • Series of meetings planned with Canadian companies in the Technology, Financial Services and Life Science sectors with operations in Ireland.
Minister for Trade Promotion Dara Calleary T.D. is today leading a joint Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland four-day Trade Mission to Vancouver and Toronto, to boost trade relationships and promote world class Irish companies to the Canadian market.
 
21 Enterprise Ireland clients representing counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Laois, Limerick, Monaghan, Tipperary, Wicklow, Waterford and Wexford will participate on the Trade Mission. The companies currently building significant business in Canada include; Enterpryze, Combilift, Moffett Automated Storage, Kent Stainless, Aubren, Flex Manager, Diona, Swoop Funding, Aryza, Fenergo, Readi-Watch, Vaultree, Bimeda, Kora Healthcare, Morgan McKinley, DAA International, Leading Edge Group, Kerry Group, Let’s Get Checked, and Nearform.

There are approximately 300 Enterprise Ireland client companies regularly exporting to Canada. In the last three years alone, Enterprise Ireland has seen 25 Irish companies set up new direct presences across Canada, expanding into key areas such as digital technologies, industrial tech, high-tech construction, fintech, agritech and education. 

Canada is an important source of FDI for Ireland with the number of people employed in Canadian headquartered IDA Ireland client companies, doubling in five years to over 8,000 people. Ireland is an attractive location for Canadian companies to invest due to access to the European and EU Market, the deep talent pool available and to grow and serve the customer base in a business friendly and pro-enterprise country. IDA Ireland targets Canadian companies in the Technology Financial Services, Life Sciences and Engineering sectors including 4 of the Top 5 Canadian Banks and 4 of the Top 5 Canadian Software companies who have operations in Ireland.

Leading the Trade Mission to the two Canadian cities, Minister for Trade Promotion Dara Calleary T.D., said “Canada is an important trading partner for Ireland particularly across the construction, digital tech, fintech and life science sectors. In 2022, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland delivered strong growth in the Canadian market, with Enterprise Ireland client exports reaching a record €452m, up 11% on the previous year, and IDA Ireland increasing investment from Canada in key sectors. This Trade Mission aims to build upon the recent success of Irish business and create further opportunities for investment into Ireland and for Irish companies exporting to Canada.”

Across the four days, Minister Calleary will participate in discussions with Canadian construction, manufacturing and digital technology leaders who are forging partnerships with Irish companies. 

The programme of events will include: 
  • Launch of the Ireland-Canada Construction Network, where the Minister will meet with construction leaders in Toronto to discuss challenges and opportunities in the industry and innovative solutions amidst Toronto’s construction boom.  
  • Hosting the Digital Transformation in Government roundtable with key stakeholders in Ontario, including Irish company, Diona, which has a long-standing presence in Canada and provides successful health and human services projects at municipal, provincial, and national levels. 
  • Installation of the first Moffett Automated Storage system in Canada at Toronto-based YaYa Foods, where the state-of-the-art system is poised to revolutionise the company's warehousing operations, driving sustainability, profitability, and operational excellence.
  • Expansion in the Canadian SME market from Enterprise Ireland company, Enterpryze, which has established an office in Vancouver this year opening the door for more Canadian business opportunities.
  • Meeting with Combilift and their Canadian partner, Leavitt Machinery, demonstrating the integration of Irish machinery for clients in British Columbia.
  • A series of meetings with existing IDA Ireland companies to reiterate Ireland’s global position as a stable location for investment and expansion despite economic headwinds and an ever-changing global environment for investment flows.
  • To meet with target companies to deepen relationships at the highest levels in order to make the case for Ireland to win new business from these leading companies.

Tom Cusack, Divisional Manager Global Markets, Enterprise Ireland said “Canada is a dynamic and growing market, presenting strong opportunities for Irish companies to succeed across various sectors. 
With approximately 300 Enterprise Ireland client companies regularly exporting to Canada, the continued growth in Irish company exports to this market in recent years is evident, particularly across construction, digital technology and fintech. Enterprise Ireland’s teams in Montreal and Toronto are focussed on supporting more companies to succeed in this exciting market full of opportunity.”

Brian Conroy, Director of North America, IDA Ireland said “Since first opening an office in Toronto in 2019, IDA Ireland has been successful in growing investments made by Canadian companies in Ireland, as well as attracting new companies for investment. Canada is home to many leading companies across all sectors. This trade mission includes meetings with decision makers from some of the leading and most innovative companies in the Tech, Life Sciences and Financial Services sectors in Canada. These companies continue to seek stable, pro-business locations for their operations. Competition for foreign direct investment has never been as intense and trade missions like this help IDA Ireland to increase awareness of Ireland’s offering as an attractive place to invest and to grow.”