Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke T.D., is in Toronto and Ottawa this week leading a four-day Trade Mission with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. The goal is simple but ambitious: strengthen Ireland’s business ties with Canada and open new doors for Irish companies, especially those in financial services and technology.
Financial Technology Insights: Liberty General Launches Surety Insurance to Boost Infrastructure
The mission comes at a moment of historic momentum. Earlier this year, Enterprise Ireland reported that Irish exports to Canada hit an all-time high of €585 million in 2024 — a remarkable 32% increase over the last three years. This surge reflects the deepening relationship between both countries, helped in part by the Canada-EU trade agreement, CETA. Today, around 300 Irish companies export regularly to Canada across sectors like digital technology, life sciences, construction, agritech, education, and fintech. Last year alone, 55 Irish companies entered the Canadian market for the first time, underscoring the region’s growing importance for Ireland’s global expansion strategy.
Minister Burke opened the Trade Mission in Toronto by highlighting how significant the Canadian market has become for Irish companies. He noted that Canada is now the fourth-largest market for Irish technology and services firms, and emphasized the strong economic and cultural ties between both countries. Ireland, he said, remains a leading source of foreign direct investment into Canada, with nearly CAD $20 billion invested — a figure that reflects decades of cooperation and shared economic priorities.
Throughout the week, the delegation will meet with leaders across Canada to deepen collaboration, spotlight innovation, and support Irish firms entering or expanding within the market. The program includes high-level business engagements, technology showcases, discussions on leadership and talent, and strategic meetings with Canadian companies exploring partnerships with Irish firms. One of the highlights is the launch of the new Enterprise Ireland Canada Advisory Tech Council, aimed at guiding Irish tech companies as they scale into North America.
Financial Technology Insights: Amscot Partners With Green Dot to Expand Modern Banking Access
Several Irish companies are also using the Trade Mission as a springboard for major announcements. HiTech Health has opened a new office in Montreal, strengthening its foothold in North America’s fast-growing cell and gene therapy sector. Sheenco Travel is expanding across Canada through a network of luxury travel specialists who will design tailored travel experiences for Canadian clients. Irish fintech leader Fenergo is introducing its new Agentic AI Suite to the Canadian market, working closely with banks already testing the platform. Insurance software provider CodeEast is partnering with ABEX in Canada to bring advanced automation and AI-ready tools to the insurance underwriting space.
For Enterprise Ireland, the mission represents a broader long-term strategy to diversify into high-growth markets and ensure Irish companies remain globally competitive. As David McCaffery, Enterprise Ireland’s Country Manager for Canada, explained, the organization’s focus is on helping more Irish companies succeed in a market where demand for innovation, digital transformation, and high-quality partnerships continues to rise.
Financial Technology Insights: Safe Harbor Launches First All-in-One Cannabis Finance Platform
The Trade Mission marks the beginning of a strengthened bilateral plan to deepen ties between Ireland and Canada. Minister Burke, Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia, and participating business leaders are available for media interviews to discuss opportunities arising from this growing partnership and the vision for expanding Ireland’s presence in Canada over the coming years.
To share your insights with the FinTech Newsroom, please write to us at info@intentamplify.com