Minister Costello in South Africa

 

Minister Costello in South Africa

 

DUBLIN, Ireland, March 18, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello TD, is visiting South Africa to look at how the Government can help Irish companies break into the African market. This visit is a follow-up to the Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission involving 37 Irish companies that Minister Costello led last November. South Africa is a priority market with Irish exports worth almost €1bn.

 

Minister Costello launched a joint venture between Cork based Digisoft TV and the South African company Hambisana that will make digital TV affordable for millions of African households. The two companies first made contact during thetrade mission last year.

 

Speaking at the launch, Minister Costello said:

 

“I am delighted to be back in South Africa for the launch of this joint venture. This collaboration of Irish research with an African network allows Digisoft and Hambisana to deliver set-top boxes for less than $50 making digital TV affordable to millions of households in Africa.”

 

“The potential for growth in Africa is enormous as digital TV is not just entertainment but also an educational tool. This innovative technology dispenses with expensive monthly subscriptions making digital TV accessible and affordable for millions of African households, and an Irish company with its South African partner is leading this exciting change across the continent. In years to come, Digisoft could become a household name in Africa.”

 

” This venture is an example of the great potential in the African market and of how Irish companies can use South African as a gateway to Africa, where the average growth rate is currently 5%. I hope other companies follow Digisoft in exploring that potential.”

 

Minister Costello also opened the Cape Town offices of the Irish media company, Wavebreak. Wavebreak Media sells images and video footage to clients worldwide. Ireland and South Africa last year signed a film co-production agreement that paved the way for greater cooperation in the field of media.

 

Speaking at the opening of the Wavebreak Media office, Minister Costello said:

 

“The expansion of Wavebreak Media to the South African market is a testament to the strength and creativity of the Irish film industry. The Wavebreak studio in Cape Town is a world class facility that will enable the company to offer a world class service.”

 

“This is a new chapter for Wavebreak Media but also highlights the potential in the African market. There are opportunities for Irish companies in every sector from media to telecoms to engineering and everything in between.”

 

In Cape Town, Minister Costello will also hit the switch to turn iconic Table Mountain green for St Patrick’s Day as part of Tourism Ireland’s Greening the Globe initiative.

 

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Costello said:

 

“This evening, Africa will turn green from the Cape to Cairo as Africa’s most famous sites – Table Mountain and the Pyramids – turn green for St Patrick’s Day. I will also be encouraging the thousands of Irish South Africans to return to celebrate the Gathering.”

 

SOURCE 

Ireland – Ministry of Foreign Affairs