Government hopeful of benefitting from Chinese investment in Europe

THE Government has expressed hope that Ireland can significantly benefit from investment China is expected to make in Europe over the next few years.

Minister for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher said yesterday “Irish companies should seize export opportunities to China”.

Mr Kelleher was attending – along with 100 Enterprise Ireland client companies – the Ireland-China Economic and Trade Co-operation Forum in Dublin; an event jointly organised by the Irish Chinese Association and the China Chamber of Commerce.

The Chinese delegation included 200 executives and representatives from more than 100 China-based companies on a purchasing mission to Ireland.

“It is the largest such delegation to visit Ireland from China and reflects on the commitment of Chinese companies to source goods and services from Irish producers,” the Department of Trade and Commerce added.

Trade levels between the two countries have risen in recent years, with services exports to China from Ireland now worth €2bn.

Yesterday’s forum also saw Mr Kelleher hold a formal meeting with Chinese trade minister Qui Hong aimed at boosting Irish-Chinese trade in the specific areas of food, educational services and software.

Prospects for Chinese investment in Ireland were also discussed, as the country is likely to invest heavily in Europe in the coming years.