International trade has been fundamental to Irish economic development," the Minister for trade and commerce Michael Ahern said today.
Speaking at the launch of the Government's revised statement on national trade policy, Trading for Economic and Social Development,the Minster said there was a direct link between the internationalisation of Ireland's economy and economic success.
The policy assesses the importance of the European Union and the WTO on Ireland’s trade.
Minister Ahern launched the statement at the initial meeting of the National Trade Forum in Farmleigh, which is to be a new mechanism for wider-ranging consultations and involvement at the initial stages of trade policy formulation or adaptation.
The Forum will be run by Forfas, the agency that advises Government on enterprise and related policies.
