Several multimillion euro deals are expected to be closed in the coming days by Irish companies participating in an official trade mission to South Africa.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin arrives in Johannesburg this morning to oversee the signing of a number of such agreements as part of the week-long mission.

While companies in the manufacturing and engineering sectors are expected to feature in formal pacts later this week, an Irish software company will today put pen to paper on a new South African partnership.

Dublin-based firm eXpd8, which specialises in computer applications for lawyers, estate agents and similar professionals, has agreed a leasing arrangement for its software with a leading South African legal accounts firm.

EXpd8 managing director Declan Branagan said the deal was a "marriage made in heaven", given the South African company Coleso already has links with more than 40 per cent of the country's 11,000 law firms.

Under the agreement, eXpd8 expects to achieve sales of three million South African rand (€325,000) in the first year, rising to eight million rand in year two and 12 million in year three.

Mr Branagan said the size of the legal market in South Africa - roughly 10 times that of Ireland - was what attracted him to the country. Having visited Cape Town some time ago, he returned last June to open discussions with three local companies about setting up a South African selling agent for his firm.

In common with the situation in Ireland, South African lawyers are being compelled under new regulations to improve their record-keeping and accounts systems. "The culture is changing," said Mr Branagan. "The legal industry is so pressurised now because of compliance issues."

He described the company's software as a simple "idiot-proof" design "which pulls together all applications and interactions with the firm's clients".