Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any issues in relation to Shannon Airport or to the Shannon Free Zone including potential future investments were discussed with either Government or private investors during his recent visit to China. [25394/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The recent Trade Mission to China, which was led by the Taoiseach, concluded with the agreement of both countries to enter into a strategic partnership for mutually beneficial co-operation. This strategic partnership, which covers areas like trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, science and education, provides a platform for further developing the exciting and evolving business relationship with China.

While many Irish companies and educational institutions signed new contracts or agreed memorandums of understanding with their counterparts in China, many of the newer companies that were part of the 90 Irish companies that travelled with Enterprise Ireland to explore new business possibilities, learned valuable important lessons about trading in China which will be of immense value to them in the future.

Over the course of the week long mission IDA Ireland met with 16 companies and financial institutions. I understand that no specific issues arose during these discussions in relation to the Shannon Free Zone. IDA Ireland also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China's ICBC Financial Leasing, part of ICBC, the world's largest bank. ICBC has been instrumental in assisting a large number of Chinese companies to expand overseas in recent years. IDA Ireland is now partnered in China with ICBC which has an unrivalled client base and network.