Enterprise Ireland has established a new office in Toronto. The office was opened yesterday by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, who is leading a trade mission to Canada.

At the opening, Mr Martin said: "The Canadian market with a population of over 32 million presents a vast market opportunity for Irish firms.

"The opening of an Enterprise Ireland office in Toronto signals the agency's commitment to assisting Irish firms to develop stronger business relationships with Canada."

Mr Martin is leading a joint trade delegation with Enterprise Ireland and its Northern counterpart, Invest NI, to Canada, which is the 11th most significant export market for companies supported by Enterprise Ireland.

Irish companies with a presence in Canada include CRH, IAWS, Glen Dimplex, Iona Technologies and Skillsoft.

The trade mission includes representatives from 35 Irish companies, 23 of them from the Republic.

While some, including Airtricity, Butler Manufacturing, Fineos and Norkom Technologies, are well established, others are at an earlier stage of development. All, apart from Queen's University and Griffith College, are broadly in the technology and engineering sectors.

"There is potential to increase Irish exports and develop partnerships between Irish and Canadian firms in knowledge-intensive sectors such as ICT, biotechnology and financial services," the Minister said yesterday.

Nick Marmion, who will head what is Enterprise Ireland's 35th overseas presence, said the "strength and value of deals emerging from this week's trade mission is indicative of the future potential to increase trade with Canada".