Taoiseach Enda Kenny has today started a two-day visit to France where he will meet with President François Hollande, and with leading Irish and French business people in both Paris and Lyon. 
 
The visit will have a strong trade focus. The Taoiseach will meet with local business leaders and politicians about Ireland’s growing interests in France and particularly in the vibrant Rhone Alpes region, of which Lyon is the capital, as well as discussing Ireland's economic recovery.
 
Furthermore, he will witness the signing of a number of new contracts between Irish companies and their French partners.
 
It is estimated that there are currently 60 Irish companies with a presence in France, employing over 10,000 people. Total trade between France and Ireland is worth just over €15 billion each year, and France is currently Ireland’s second largest global market for food & drinks and also Ireland’s fourth largest inward tourism market.
 
Source: www.businessworld.ie