As we move closer to the mid-point of the year, we can look back on the period since 1st January with mixed emotions. On New Year’s night we were looking forward to a brand-new year with some optimism, and we all hoped that the year ahead could not be as difficult as the one just past. Those hopes were dealt a severe blow as we were forced to endure a prolonged period of Level 5 restrictions from the beginning of the year, but throughout the period of lockdown there was a greater sense of normality than during last year’s more stringent lockdown periods. The vaccination programme was being rolled out across the world, albeit at varying speeds, but at least they were being rolled out. We also saw a number of countries gradually relaxing restrictions, and here in Ireland, the COB-related health statistics were moving in the right direction.

OPTIMISTIC GLOBAL OUTLOOK
​Since the beginning of the year has been a steady upward revision to global economic forecasts by international forecasting agencies. The IMF now expects the global economy to expand by a strong 6 per cent in 2021. The upbeat assessment is based on the successful rollout of the vaccination programme, and the ongoing strong official fiscal and monetary policy response across the globe.

The Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) grant enables clients to explore and develop new market opportunities. The TAME grant part-funds the costs that can be incurred investigating and researching export markets, e.g. exhibiting at Trade Fairs, preparing marketing material and developing websites specifically targeting overseas markets. This grant covers 50% of eligible costs (net of vat) to a max of €2,500 in any calendar year.
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Applications must be made prior to any expenditure being incurred. Successful applicants should consider using an Enterprise Ireland Mentor to develop an export/marketing plan.

Irish travellers visit Spain and Portugal in their droves at least two million last year alone. While we have long exported our tourism to Iberia, the same cannot always be said for Irish firms.

​Given the proximity of two Eurozone neighbours whose GDP is five times that of Ireland, with both offering gateways to growing domestic markets, and to Latin America and Africa, Irish exporters should take a closer look.

While both Spain and Portugal joined Ireland, Italy and Greece as the hardest hit economies during the recession, like our country, they have emerged showing above average Eurozone growth.
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With a population 10 times that of Ireland, Spain offers the larger market opportunity. Its GDP is €1.2trn, five times that of Ireland, while a growth rate of 2.1pc has been forecast by the International Monetary Fund for 2019.