Written answers

Tuesday, 6 March 2007

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Overseas Trade Promotion

11:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the activities to date of IDA Ireland's China office; the number of joint Chinese Irish ventures facilitated or developed by this office; the cost to the State of this office in 2006; the budget of this office for 2007; if he will open further offices of State development agencies in China; if so, his plans in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8347/07]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The management and location of overseas offices of the development agencies is a day-to-day operational matter for the agencies and not a matter in which I have a function.

IDA Ireland is the statutory agency charged with the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to this country. The agency established its first office in Shanghai, China during 2005. To date there have been a number of visits from Chinese delegations to Ireland and IDA Ireland are hopeful that these will result in a number of projects in the future. IDA Ireland operates in a very competitive environment for FDI and it would not be appropriate for me to release details of activities or costs relating solely to the Shanghai office. However, in 2006 an amount of slightly in excess €10m was spent by IDA Ireland as part of its marketing, promotions and advertising budget for all of its overseas offices including Shanghai. It is expected that a similar figure will be spent by the Agency in 2007. I understand from the Agency that, at present, it has no plans to open other offices in China.

Enterprise Ireland is the agency which, in overseas markets, is tasked with assisting Irish companies in their efforts to increase exports. It has four offices in China — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. These offices are located in the industrialized and wealthy parts of China — those areas that offer the most potential for Irish exports. Enterprise Ireland does not envisage that other offices will be needed in China in the immediate future but the agency reviews the needs of client companies on an ongoing basis and will respond where necessary.

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