THE 2010 football World Cup in South Africa is a huge opportunity for Irish businesses to make money and create jobs, a major government trade mission will say this week.
Irish companies will sign contracts worth at least €20m in South Africa on Wednesday as part of Ireland’s biggest ever trade mission to the African continent.
But with a population of almost 185 million people in the southern African region alone, the government wants Irish firms to harness the formidable power of the World Cup.
In two years time, more than a billion people will watch the tournament on TV, while millions more are expected to flock to South Africa as tourists.
Trade between South Africa and Ireland is worth almost €500m a year and the aim of the trade mission is to help small and medium sized firms expand in the region.
Speaking ahead of the visit to Cape Town and Johannesburg, Enterprise Minister Micheal Martin said: "The 2010 World Cup offers many opportunities for a range of Irish firms.
The government will also strongly urge South Africans to import more Irish beef following the opening up of the market in recent months.
More than 50 companies will be represented during the four-day trade visit, which will also include an address by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to South African business leaders.
The deals to be announced on Wednesday include contracts for Irish firms to oversee projects in sewerage treatment, power supply and mobile technology.
Mr Martin said yesterday: "There is much scope for further growth. The aim of this visit is to support Irish companies to develop a presence in South Africa.
"That is through trade, investment, partnership and other business linkages. Many such strategic alliances already exist between Irish and South African companies.
"The strong links between the two countries puts Irish business in a prime position to contribute to and benefit from South Africa’s dynamic economic transformation.
"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."