IRISH exporters are hoping to raise more than £2 million in new business on the back of the visit by the President, Mrs Robinson, to South Africa this weekend.

Bord Trachtala is leading a trade mission of 38 Irish manufacturing and service companies to Cape Town and Johannesburg, where Mrs Robinson is due to address the receptions.

Irish exports to South Africa were £120 million last year, a threefold increase since 1992, while South African exports to Ireland last year were around £50 million.