Exports boost on cards as Cork twins with Chinese province

A potential exports boost could be on the cards after it was revealed that plans have been made to officially twin Co Cork with Jiangsu province in China — with the event to be held at the Chinese-owned Fota Island Resort during the Irish Open.

Cork County Council officials have already undertaken a trip to the province, which has a population of 80 million and its capital, Nanjing, which is the second-largest commercial centre in the East China region after Shanghai.

A return visit by Jiangsu officials took place last month, during which the delegation toured the Jameson Distillery, University College Cork and Janssen Biologics.

Council officials believe vast opportunities exist for business in the region and which accounts of 10.4% of China’s Gross Domestic Product.

Jiangsu’s economy grew by an astonishing 10.1% in 2012, which was 2.3% higher than China’s average.

Paul Sutton, senior executive officer with the council’s Economic Development Unit, said the objectives of the initiative “are to develop the relationship so as to position Cork to benefit from Chinese investment”.

He said the move would increase export opportunities for Cork companies, especially those producing baby milk power, cheese, pork, beef and whiskey.

Mr Sutton said the move would also promote Cork as a tourist destination, especially given the growing disposable income among the people of Jiangsu.

He also told councillors that the twinning would foster educational and cultural ties.

“It also ties in with the South West Ireland regional approach where Cork City Council has a long-standing with Zhenjaing Province and Shanghai. These (Zhenjaing and Jiangsu) are the most economically developed parts of China,” Mr Sutton said.

As well as signing the twinning agreement in June, the council is also planning to lead a trade delegation of local companies to a major expo which will be held in Jiangsu this summer.

Deputy county manager Declan Daly, who was among officials who visited Jiangsu, said there was also “potential for private companies to get bright young Chinese graduates to work here as interns and when they go back act as ambassadors for the county.”