FIVE Irish firms have entered into partnership agreements with, JS companies that will be worth 5 million in sales over the next two years, according to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton.

He made the announcement yesterday in Chicago, where he is on a trip to promote Forbairt's US Business Partnership Programme, through which the agreements came about.

The five companies are Silicon Systems Ltd, Ceramics Ireland, ITP, Euristix and Microsoft. Several of the agreements are a direct result of a mission to Boston last November to promote the programme, according to Mr Bruton.

The programme is intended to bring Irish companies with a knowledge of the European market into contact with US firms keen to gain access to the EU.

Silicon Systems Ltd designs' computer chips and has opened a new design centre in San Jose, California.

The Cork based Ceramics Ireland has sold over $162,000 worth of infrared heater bulbs to Energy Savers Incorporated of Oklahoma, as a result of the November mission.

International Translation and Publishing (ITP), the Bray, Co Wicklow based software localisation company, has formed a joint venture in Boise, Idaho, with US group Sakson & Taylor to facilitate business development with their mutual client Hewlett Packard.

Telecommunications software development company Euristix has entered into an agreement with Tellabs of the US.

The filth agreement announced yesterday was between German group Siemens and Microsoft of Dublin.