DUBLIN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- An economic forum aimed at strengthening the economic ties between Ireland and Africa will be held in Dublin in October, said the Irish foreign ministry on Thursday.
Entitled Africa Ireland Economic Forum 2018, the one-day event, slated at The Convention Center Dublin on Oct. 11, will be attended by top-level political and business leaders from both Ireland and Africa, said the ministry in a press release.
Keynote speakers will include Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Simon Coveney and the Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives from Kenya, Peter Munya, it said.
The forum, organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in partnership with African embassies in Ireland, is the sixth edition of its kind since its inception in 2010, according to the ministry.
Topics of the forum will include challenges and opportunities for business in Africa, case studies of Irish companies operating in Africa, women's role in Africa-Ireland business, and supports available to Irish businesses operating in Africa, it said.
Africa is the world's fastest growing continent, said Simon Coveney in the press release.
"Our trade with Africa has increased by 13 percent since 2014. Irish food and drink companies have been particularly successful," he said.
According to Bord Bia (Irish Food Board), a state agency responsible for helping Irish companies to market their food and drink products overseas, Irish agrifood exports to Africa have increased by 28 percent over the last two years.
