Irish seafood marketing to receive €3.5 million

October 2002

Pat Keogh, Chief Executive, BIM (Irish Sea Fisheries Board) at today’s launch of the Irish Seafood Business Programme described the international food market as complex, fast-paced, demanding innovation and knowledge on the part of businesses approaching it. He explained that all food sectors had been faced with challenging times recently, but that seafood sales and exports had significantly out-performed other sectors, showing a 31 per cent increase in exports in 2001. He congratulated all participating companies and praised their vision in recognising the importance of marketing for the future of the industry.

BIM’s Marketing Strategy for Seafood, launched the Marketing Capability Programme in July 2001, and was intended to assist company initiatives in the marketing skills and expertise sector. The success of the MCP is reflected in today’s announcement by the Irish Government to provide €1.5 million of the Irish Seafood Business Programme’s €3.5 million budget – the balance being funded by 33 of Ireland’s leading seafood companies.

The Irish Seafood Business Programme will be directing its effort to provide a regular forum for the discussion of issues relating to current industry issues, a mentor panel to guide projects and perceived company need, and a series of seminars on topics prioritised as marketing issues.