It not only helps enterprises to be agile by diversifying revenue streams and reducing dependence on the domestic market, it also helps a company to scale by driving long-term expansion and development.
As a small, open economy, Ireland’s international trade is important for competitiveness, economic growth and innovation. It is often a vital growth engine for SMEs.
Therefore it is important that all Irish-owned SMEs – from the smallest micro-companies to larger enterprises – are supported to seize export opportunities and to grow in the global market.
The Irish Government’s SME Taskforce made a recommendation that there should be a doubling of the number of first-time exporters per annum, and for 2,000 additional SMEs to begin exporting by 2030.
Exports from companies supported by Enterprise Ireland reached a record €34.57bn in 2023
In order to support this, the ‘Get Exporting’ national accelerator programme has been launched.
It is focused on supporting new and early-stage exporters to achieve new and sustainable exports.
‘Get Exporting’ provides Irish companies with an export development pathway, which simplifies the export journey and helps businesses build the knowledge, confidence and strategies needed to succeed.
The ‘Get Exporting’ programme will ensure a cohesive, national, cross-agency approach to export development in Ireland, with a strong focus on supporting Irish SMEs to become first-time exporters.
Led by Enterprise Ireland in partnership with the Local Enterprise Offices, and in close collaboration with export support frameworks and development agencies across the island, the programme aims to assist non-exporting companies, regardless of the responsible agency, in becoming first-time exporters.
‘Get Exporting’ will provide business leaders with a tailored pathway to export readiness based on their development needs, supported by business mentors, market advisors and peer-to-peer learning.
Firms should use EI’s export development pathway. Photo: Getty
It will help support firms achieve their global ambitions by assessing readiness and ambition, evaluating the exportability of their products or services, and helping leaders understand market entry fundamentals.
It guides participants in selecting a market, developing an export plan, all working towards achieving their first sustainable sale in their chosen market.
Our export pathway focuses on three stages:
Firstly, export readiness clinics, which introduces our export development pathway with market entry insights and a tailored export assessment.
Secondly, export workshops, which helps to build market entry capabilities through practical, collaborative sessions;
And thirdly, in-market meetings, where the export plan is validated with support from Enterprise Ireland’s overseas market and business advisors.
Exports from companies supported by Enterprise Ireland reached a record €34.57bn in 2023.
And our ambition is to expand the current exporter base, by strengthening the capability of new and early-stage exports, which will have a positive impact on regional employment and boost the local economy.
If you’re a business owner who’s ready to go global, find out more on Enterprise-Ireland.com or call the Get Exporting team.
Emily Gallen and Linda Earlie are the new exporter leads at Enterprise Ireland