Bilateral Economic Relations

Role of the Bilateral Economic Section within the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Bilateral Economic Relations Section (BER), within the Promoting Ireland Abroad Division (PIAD), works closely with state agencies, other government departments and the private sector in identifying new market opportunities

  • working closely with state agencies, other government departments and the private sector in identifying new market opportunities and in raising awareness of Ireland as a preferred business partner and as a world class location for inward investment, scientific research and development; education and high technology;
  • facilitating the development of trade and investment in emerging markets including through implementation of relevant aspects of the Government’s Asia Strategy and development of a strategic approach for the Gulf region; 
  • assisting Irish companies in gaining and maintaining access for their goods and services.

Asia Strategy Document (PDF 255kb)

This seeks to intensify the levels of political, business and other forms of interaction with the priority Asian countries so that Ireland benefits to a significantly greater extent from trade, and from other benefits that successful trading with the region can confer.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is a partner in the implementation of the Asia Strategy together with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, other government departments and state bodies. It has a particular role under the Strategy in developing the relationship between Ireland and the eight priority Asian countries – China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.  

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