Kelleher Leads Trade Visit to China

Minister for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher T.D. began a week long Enterprise Ireland trade visit consisting of thirteen Irish companies to the People's Republic of China on Monday.

The visit will take in Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian and Cengdu and will involve high level political and business meetings.

The trade mission will focus on the financial services and the education sectors. The companies participating are drawn from these sectors and are committed to growing their businesses in China.

Speaking in Beijing Minister Kelleher highlighted the importance of Ireland's growing trade links with China which is now the country's tenth largest export market globally: "It is now more important than ever that we in Government provide the necessary supports for Irish companies to grow and access new markets.

"This trade mission will help Irish companies develop their business in China and I am confident that many new opportunities will be generated as a result of this mission."

Referring to the sectors that this trade mission will focus on Minister Kelleher said: "The financial services sector is a key component of Ireland's export performance. Ireland's financial services companies offer advanced, high-tech solutions based on innovation and sharp market focus. 

"Over the coming week I will be introducing leading Irish financial services companies to some of the major banks in China. China's financial services environment is modern and technologically driven. It is this type of environment where Ireland's high-tech financial services companies can add most value.

The Minister added: "Education is one of the most important links between Ireland and China with a strong tradition of collaboration between the third level education sector and educational companies in Ireland and China. 

"The recruitment of students for Irish third level colleges is a foundation stone for future generations of business partners for Irish companies.  

"There are now more than 35 joint programs in place between Irish and Chinese colleges and with five of Ireland's leading colleges participating on this mission, we aim to build further on this significant partnership."

Irish exports to China have grown from €7 million in 1979 to over €2.3 billion in 2008. Similarly, there has been a steady increase in sales by Chinese companies in Ireland and bilateral trade is now worth over €6.5 billion annually.

"The growth in our trade is a strong endorsement of the work of Enterprise Ireland, who now have four offices in China and to-date have helped almost 100 Irish companies establish offices in China," Minister Kelleher concluded. 

During his visit Minister Kelleher will also officially open the new Chinese offices of Cork-based company Avego, which provides software for transport management systems and will be opening open its China Hub in Dalian.