More than fifty Irish companies are attending Ireland's largest trade mission to South Africa which begins today, which will highlight business opportunities ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
The three-day mission, organised by Enterprise Ireland, comprises representatives from 54 Irish companies and organisations and is being led by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin is highlighting business opportunities for Irish firms in a region which is home to 185 million people.
Announcing specific opportunities for small and medium sized firms, Mr Martin said two-way trade between the two countries is worth over €500m per year to the Irish economy, with scope for further growth.
"The aim of this visit is to support Irish companies to develop a presence in South Africa through trade, investment, partnership and other business linkages," he said.
This morning the Taoiseach announced €5million in Government funding for the Niall Mellon Township Trust in Cape Town, which has seen 1,350 Irish volunteers help build 205 houses during the organisation's most recent work in November 2007.
Minister Martin said strong links between Ireland and South Africa now existed and along with the 2010 World Cup, the current environment put "Irish business in a prime position to contribute to and benefit from South Africa's dynamic economic transformation".
"Our expertise in many areas can be used to support the hosting of this major sporting event for the first time in Africa," he said.
"Dramatic changes in the structures and operations of South Africa's ports, railways, airports and its utilities such as electricity, water and gas, offer particular opportunities for Irish companies with well established international expertise in these areas," the Minister added.