The pharmaceutical sector will play a "significant part" in returning the country to growth, President Mary McAleese has said.
On the final day of her state visit to Spain today she focused on business interests and the pharmaceutical sector in particular.
Mrs McAleese told an Enterprise Ireland workshop in Barcelona this afternoon the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector was "a star performer" throughout the recession.
"In 2009 the value of two-way trade in medical and pharmaceutical products rose by 22 per cent.
"Early figures for 2010 show this growth continuing, with an increase of over 11 per cent in the first three quarters of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009," she told the joint press conference with the president of Catalonia, Arturo Mas.
Mrs McAleese said Ireland had much to learn from Barcelona-based firms and there is "scope for further collaboration and cooperation".
The workshop, held in the Generalitat or Catalan parliament, sought to bring together leading Spanish firms in the sector with Irish suppliers.
The President received a warm round of applause from her hosts when she opened her address in Catalan and both leaders stressed the importance of their national languages.
She said both nations share "naturally enterprising, innovative and resourceful people" and this will enable them to overcome the current financial crisis.
Mr Mas said he considered the workshop "good proof" that Catalonia and Ireland are working to "rapidly recover the path of growth and prosperity" and was "delighted" to form a partnership in the best interests of both economies.
After the meeting Mrs McAleese attended a reception in the town hall for members of the Irish community hosted by mayor of Barcelona Jordi Hereu.
Guests included Ireland's Honorary Consul General in Barcelona Enrique Curcurella, Sergi Loughney from Albertis, Seamus Farrell who founded the Dublin School of English in the city in 1970, Marvin Geraghty from the Spanish-Irish Business Network and, Justin Donlon and Stephen Garland from the world of arts.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen also attended as the cities have been twinned since 1998.
Again the President used her address to focus on the recovery of the Irish economy.
"Our people are shouldering their responsibilities to future generations in laying the basis for a return to economic growth," she said.
And she thanked those involved for their "great love of the country" and called them "excellent ambassadors for Ireland".
This morning the President and her husband Dr Martin McAleese started the day with a 45-minute tour around Gaudi's famous Sagrada Familia cathedral by the current chief architect Jordi Bonet.
Mrs McAleese is due back in Dublin this evening.
