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Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, TD, today welcomed the Mexican Minister of the Economy, Ildefonso Guajardo, and delegates of the Mexico Dublin Business Conference to Iveagh House, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Speaking at an event to mark the close of the highly successful Mexico Dublin Business Conference, Minister Costello said the conference had further strengthened Ireland-Mexico relations and, in particular, two-way trade links:

“This week’s conference has provided Mexican and Irish business people with a valuable opportunity to understand better what we can offer each other as trading and investment partners. It showcased Ireland’s potential as a partner for Mexico, and a gateway to Europe.

“Mexico is our largest trading partner in Latin America. Ireland exported €690 million worth of goods to Mexico in 2013, almost three times the value of our exports in 2000. This week’s conference shows that there are many opportunities for more Irish companies to look to Mexico for the partnerships which are key to opening up new markets. Mexico has a large internal market and enjoys a highly strategic location as a gateway to a wider region.”

Organised by Dublin City Council and hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Oisín Quinn, the two-day Mexico Dublin Business Conference promoted Dublin as the gateway to Europe for Latin American businesses. Some 150 delegates attended the conference, including some of Mexico and Ireland’s leading business and trade organisations.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD, opened the conference on May 1 in City Hall.

Ireland-Mexico relations have been growing strongly, notably with the visit to Mexico last year by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins. He was accompanied by Minister Costello.

ENDS