A two-day Ministerial trade visit has got underway in Madrid focusing on the construction sector.

Robert Troy TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, is leading the visit to promote Spain as a destination for Irish construction exports and to highlight the success of Irish companies in market.

The trade visit will focus on the experience and expertise that Irish construction companies have earned in the high-tech construction sub-sector in the domestic market, which they can bring to the growing data-center sector in Spain, in partnership with Spanish companies. The Spanish data centre market is expected to grow by 13% over the next five years, reaching an expected value of $4.1 billion (USD) by 2026.

The companies participating in the visit represent a wide regional spread, with participants based in Dublin, Limerick, Louth, Roscommon, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford.

Strong trade and investment links exist between Ireland and Spain; exports from Enterprise Ireland's supported companies reached €356m in 2020. This week's trade mission aims to connect Irish companies with further Eurozone opportunities.

Speaking in Madrid, Minister Troy commented: "For Irish companies looking to start their export journey or indeed for those already exporting and looking to grow their market reach, I encourage them to consider Spain and the wider Eurozone market. The Eurozone is one of the world's largest economic regions and benefits from ongoing economic growth. With significant post-Covid investment and recovery programmes driving opportunity across the region, the potential for innovative Irish companies is there for the taking.

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"I look forward to seeing how Irish construction companies are helping their Spanish partners connect with cutting edge Irish innovation. Trade is strong between our two countries and the potential to further strengthen our economic links with Spain is clear. I strongly encourage Irish companies looking to grow their exporting reach to look to the Eurozone and be part of the thriving community of Irish businesses using Irish innovation to address some of the challenges facing industry in these markets."

During the trade visit Enterprise Ireland has organised participation at Madrid Platform, where the delegation will have the opportunity to meet with Spanish, European and LATAM partners of interest and learn about opportunities in the market. At Madrid Platform, they will also meet with representatives from Madrid Nuevo Norte (Distrito Castellana Norte Madrid), which is the largest urban regeneration project in Europe, presenting huge opportunity for several of the participating companies.

A panel session entitled 'Connect with Irish High-Tech Construction' will also take place at Madrid Platform where each of the Irish companies will have the chance to present and discuss Irish expertise and offerings in the sector.

On 25 May, Enterprise Ireland has organised a Breakfast Networking Event and Seminar with SPAINDC, the Association of Data Centres in Spain, where Irish companies will get to understand the dynamics of the Data Centre market in Spain from the main stakeholders in this industry and meet with buyers and subcontractors of interest.

Minister Troy will also visit Enterprise Ireland client companies C&D Foods and Zartis, who have successfully grown in the Spanish market.

Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager for Industrial and Lifesciences at Enterprise Ireland added: "Ireland and Spain have a strong and important trading relationship. The Spanish market provides a significant opportunity for Enterprise Ireland clients in a region where Irish companies enjoy a reputation for innovation and flexibility.

"Irish companies have enjoyed great success in the Eurozone markets, but there is also great untapped potential in the region and we continue to identify opportunities for Irish businesses across a range of sectors, including construction. We're delighted to have Minister Troy lead this trade visit to Madrid to support our client firms to further explore these opportunities."