Twinning deals ‘can reap rewards’
He was speaking towards the end of the trade mission to China.
Irish firms have confirmed some 115 million of new business with Chinese counterparts during the mission organised by Enterprise Ireland. Several more contracts are expected to be announced before the mission concludes in Hong Kong tonight.
One of the more significant announcements during the week was that Ireland and China's respective second cities, Cork and Shanghai, are to enter into a twinning agreement, the formal signing of which is expected to take place during the summer.
Mr Martin said the Cork-Shanghai agreement should be a productive relationship once signed.
"Shanghai is the ideal city (for Cork) because of its central importance in terms of the economic transformation of China," he said. "It symbolises the new China in many ways. It's a port city, it has a strong cultural dimension and strong universities, so there are obvious linkages.
"Also, it's very interested in, and strong on, IT and software, interested in biotechnology, biopharma so from an economic perspective, the partnership makes sense.
"I think the future is going to be about China and its economic growth. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with, and I think it's important that Ireland is part of that story," he added.
"And on Cork and Shanghai, I think there has already been major activity a significant number of visits from Shanghai last year, for example. Some students came and they actually went on to develop linkages between 40 companies and companies in Shanghai. That's a practical demonstration (of the possible benefits).
"UCC has now linked in with (Shanghai's) Fudan University, particularly in the area of microelectronics. That's potentially important, that's a benefit."
But would UCC not naturally have sought out by itself the best universities with which to foster relations? Could it not have done something like this off its own back in China? "No, you need government backing," said Mr Martin. "You need the stamp of approval of your civic body. That's incredibly important in China.
"It's very important in Asia generally. That's why this mission is so critical. The doors would not be open as much for companies or universities or schools of languages without the government stamp of approval, without its backing," he added.
