Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 137: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his assessment of the recent trade mission to China; if he will estimate the degree of economic activity between Ireland and China directly generated by the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12063/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the three-month period since the Taoiseach led this trade mission there has been significant progress. This is additional to contracts valued at about €126 million signed in the course of the trade mission.

Enterprise Ireland arranged for the education sector to participate in trade fairs in Beijing and Shanghai, where 23 institutions were represented. Best estimates suggest that universities and colleges following up on partnerships signed during the January trade mission will recruit in excess of 400 additional students who plan to begin their college careers in September of this year. This represents estimated revenue to Irish colleges of approximately €3 million, and an additional €3 million spend here.

In the information technology sector, one company has since established its sales and marketing office in Beijing and another has reported that a new partnership signed during the Shanghai leg of the mission has generated its first order. A food company that was represented on the trade mission has received a first trial order for the shipment of product to China. Should this be successful, it is expected that over €500,000 in product will be shipped this year. Another food company is about to announce the opening of its first China office in Shanghai.

Enterprise Ireland is continuing to work with client companies that participated on the mission and to assist them in maximising opportunities in the Chinese marketplace. In addition to these commercial developments, and following commitments made during the January trade mission, Enterprise Ireland is participating in an information technology fair in Dalian in June and in the Xiamen Trade and Investment Fair in September. It is also organising missions to China for companies from the aerospace sector and the furniture sector in September of this year.

A large Government and business delegation from Shanghai will visit Cork in May 2005 to complete the twinning process for those cities. Enterprise Ireland is planning a business-networking event in Cork during that visit. Other visiting delegations from the Zhejiang, Fujian, Liaoning and Hebei provinces have agreed travel dates and will be hosted in this country by Enterprise Ireland later in the year.