Importance of Irish-Australian Trade and Business Opportunities Recognised in new Collaboration

Chambers Ireland and Irish Australian Chamber sign a Memorandum of Understanding

Chambers Ireland and the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce (IACC) have today (19 May 2016) signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the links between the two organisations and the Irish and Australian business communities.

Through collaboration Chambers Ireland and the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce will offer access and support to members hoping to increase the trade and investment between Ireland and Australia. Ireland and Australia have strong historic and cultural links and strengthening the links between these two organisations will help build new trade relationships between the members of the Irish Chamber Network and members of the Irish Australian Chamber and will promote future economic and social objectives of mutual interest. 

Speaking on the importance of the new relationship between the two organisations, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland said, “The Irish-Australian relationship has long been defined by migration, particularly over recent years, where many thousands of people left Ireland for new opportunities abroad. As the economy is now recovering, we see huge potential to develop economic links through our Diaspora in Australia. With the EU opening negotiations for a trade deal with Australia, we see countless opportunities for Irish businesses and investors to capitalise on our already strong relationship. Building better and stronger links with our Diaspora all over the world is amongst our top priorities in the coming years as Ireland looks to build new trading relationships. This partnership with the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce is one of the first such steps”.

Also commenting on the relationship, President of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce Rob Clifford said, “We are pleased to have this agreement in place to engage with Chambers Ireland and their member Chambers, and we look forward to the new possibilities that this relationship represents. We welcome the growing interest from Irish companies looking at Australia as their preferred base in the Asia Pacific region. Additionally, through our membership of the European Australia Business Council, we share Chambers Ireland’s desire to see an Australia / EU FTA which we believe will encourage even more Australian businesses to consider Ireland, both as a destination market in its own right, and as a gateway to Europe. We look forward to the official launch of our Irish Chapter in Dublin on 1st June and the positive engagement that will come from that.”

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For further information contact Susan McDermott, Chambers Ireland on 01 400 4331, 086 6081605 or email susan.mcdermott@www.chambers.ie. 

Notes to Editor

  • About Chambers Ireland

Chambers Ireland is Ireland’s largest business organisation with a network of Chambers of Commerce in every major town and region in the country. We facilitate the growth and development of the Irish Chamber Network and enable the Chambers in the network to effectively promote the long term development of their locality on behalf of their members as well as working towards creating a better environment for business by lobbying the Government and other stakeholders on key policy issues.

  • About Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce (IACC)

The Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce is Australia’s premier Irish Australian business organisation. We are a modern, vibrant and inclusive membership-based organisation that is committed to adding value and bringing opportunities to our members. Our membership comprises a broad range of industry sectors and demographics across Australia. We are independent and apolitical therefore we are capable of providing a credible and effective voice for our members on matters of policy which impact their commercial activities.

  • IACC Irish Chapter: The Irish Chapter of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce will launch on 1stJune 2016
  • Irish Australian trade facts:
  • Australian merchandise exports to Ireland were valued at $55 million and imports from Ireland were valued at $1.82 billion in 2014-15.
  • Australia’s trade in services with Ireland was valued at over $1.5 billion in 2014-15.
  • In 2014, Ireland’s total investment in Australia was valued at $16.28 billion, while Australia’s investment in Ireland was valued at $8.83 billion.
  • Dozens of Australian companies are now active in Ireland across many sectors.
  • Enterprise Ireland are currently supporting over 150 Irish client companies from their Sydney office 
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