Ahern leads massive trade mission to China

Ireland’s largest foreign trade mission, featuring the Taoiseach, four Cabinet ministers and dozens of business delegates, jets out to China today for a week of building contacts and cutting deals.

Bertie Ahern will be joined by enterprise and trade minister Micheal Martin, education and science minister Mary Hanafin, communications minister Noel Dempsey and agriculture and food minister Mary Coughlan for the tour of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The trip plans to strengthen Ireland’s political and economic ties with China which have developed rapidly since the Taoiseach’s first official visit in 1998.

President Mary McAleese made a state trip in late 2003 and a number of Chinese heads of state and government have paid high-profile visits here.

China is the fifth-largest economy in the world and currently the EU’s biggest trading partner.

Trade between Ireland and China is worth €4bn year – and our exports to the Far East republic rose by 25% in 2004.

Over 250 Irish companies are currently doing daily business with China.

Minister Martin said Irish firms must tap into the export potential of the Chinese market in IT products, education services, medical devices, electronics and foodstuffs.

He added: “The sheer size of the Chinese economy is generating exciting opportunities for ambitious Irish firms. This trade mission will help companies develop business contacts and investigate all elements of the market.”

The Taoiseach’s itinerary includes formal state functions with President Hu Jintau and premier Wen Jiabao and all Irish ministers will also meet their Chinese government counterparts.

Mr Ahern will also hold discussions with the National People’s Congress, the Lord Mayor of Shanghai and the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong.

The Taoiseach and his ministers are due to attend business and tourism functions organised by Enterprise Ireland and meet with members of the Irish community.

A government spokesman added: “A number of key bilateral agreements in education, software and agriculture will be signed as well as other business deals.” Minister Dempsey will meet with key government telecoms contacts in Singapore on Wednesday before arriving in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Once there, he will hold talks with representatives of top telecoms provider, PCCW and the ministry for commerce, industry and technology.

His spokesman added: “The minister will be briefed on recent developments like e-learning and will visit the local Cyperport which includes the Digital Media Centre.”

Minister Hanafin leads a delegation of key figures in the education sector and will chiefly seek to promote Ireland as a study destination for Chinese students.

She will meet her Cabinet counterpart in the Chinese government and also visit Fudan University and the China Europe International Business School.

She said today: “The education links being developed between Ireland and China are central to the overall relationship between the two countries.”

Agriculture minister Coughlan is set to sign a protocol agreement to regulate pig meat exports to China.

She will lead a delegation from the food and drink industry as well as Bord Bia representatives.

She will address seminars where her department officials, Bord Bia, BIM and IBEC will engage with the Chinese agriculture ministry, regulators and local importers and traders.

Minister Coughlan said: “China is a huge market with enormous potential from the point of view of the food and drink sectors and it will lay the basis for increased trade between our countries.”