Up to 30 Irish firms hope to secure a share in millions of euro in business during a trade mission to South Africa this week.
The delegation, led by the Minister for Enterprise & Trade Micheal Martin, will focus its five-day trip on Johannesburg, Cape Town and the capital, Pretoria until it departs on Friday.
Enterprise Ireland has already completed successful trade visits to India, Japan, China and Ukraine during 2006. South Africa, with a population of just under 50 million, has the largest economy in Africa and hosts the next Fifa World Cup in 2010.
Enterprise Ireland believes Irish businesses can secure vital new markets for their products and services in the Rainbow Nation - which achieved democracy in 1994.
Firms travelling will be drawn from the telecommunications, IT, construction, banking and financial services sectors. They include Tourism Ireland, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Crannog Software, Kerry Ingredients and Moffett Engineering.
The existing 100 Irish companies in South Africa did business worth €428 million last year.
Mr Martin said: "The mission is an opportunity to look more closely at the scope for developing greatly expanded commercial and trade links between our two countries and focus in particular on what can be identified as areas of significant future potential."
The TD said opportunities for more growth in Irish-South African trade in the coming years will be boosted by strategic alliances and partnerships among export-led companies.
"There are already a number of such alliances between Irish and South African companies and there is scope for more linkages through investment, technology transfer, joint ventures, acquisitions, and other forms of joint marketing and trade relationships," he added.
There is also potential for companies in South Africa to use Ireland as a base to open new markets or expand their sales in Europe, he added. An Enterprise Ireland spokesman said: "Recent economic indicators show a very positive position and business in South Africa is booming,"
"With the resultant raised demand throughout the economy, this in turn has created many new business opportunities for a broad spectrum of Irish exporters.
"The close relationship between Ireland and South Africa puts Irish business in a prime position to contribute to and benefit from this exciting economic transformation," the spokesperson added.
The visit will focus on Irish companies who have included South Africa in their business development strategy for 2006.
The itinerary includes networking events with prospective South African clients and a VIP dinner hosted by the Irish Ambassador, Gerard Corr.
Mr Martin will be accompanied by Enterprise Ireland CEO Frank Ryan. Enterprise Ireland will lead a trade mission to Canada next month.
PA