Target of 15pc growth in exports to China set at forum
20.02.2012
Enterprise Ireland is aiming for 15pc growth in indigenous Irish exports to China this year, the agency announced at the China Trade and Investment Forum today.
China’s Vice President Xi and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD were at the forum which was organised by Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Bord Bia and Science Foundation Ireland as part of Vice President Xi’s official visit to Ireland this week.
Enterprise Ireland reported that its client exports to China grew by 10pc in 2010 to €251m and initial estimates show that 2011 delivered a further 10pc.
More than 200 Irish companies are exporting to China and 140 of these have offices there.
Enterprise Ireland CEO Frank Ryan said China was the number one destination for indigenous Irish exports in the Asia region and that the visit to Ireland by Vice President Xi was hugely significant in terms of Ireland’s export-led recovery.
The agency is proactively developing a number of key sectors where clear opportunities have been identified for its Irish client base in China. These include education services, aviation/eerospace, financial services, software/IT, life sciences/medical devices, cleantech and agri machinery/services.
Attended by 350 delegates, The China Ireland Trade Forum involved several presentations to highlight Ireland’s strengths to the Chinese delegation such as high-end technologies from Ireland; Ireland as a location for third-level education for Chinese Students; Ireland as a source of some of the world’s leading food products to include dairy, meat and beverages; and Ireland as a compelling investment location.