Around 2,000 international buyers from 23 countries have attended the Showcase Ireland 2000 national craft, gift and fashion fair, opened yesterday at the RDS by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney.

The increasing number of international buyers attending was the result of a year-long promotional drive by Enterprise Ireland, said Ms Harney.

Senior buyers from leading British department stores such as Marks & Spencer, K. Samuel and House of Fraser and American buyers from stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Talbots, QVC and the HSN home shopping channel are attending the Showcase 2000 fair.