Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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311. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline Ireland's economic and trade co-operation with China; if he will provide a breakdown in the annual trading figures for the past five years between the two countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22517/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government attaches great importance to developing our trade and bilateral links with China. Ireland’s exports to China have expanded very significantly in recent years to the extent that Ireland now has a healthy trade surplus of over €1.7 billion with China, a dramatic turnaround from the position in 2007 when we had a trade deficit of over €2 billion with that country. Ireland’s total exports to China have increased by over 40% since 2007 and our services exports have increased by 73% in that time. The Chinese market has been a strong performer in the Government's strategy to expand and diversify our exports. In 2011, the latest year for which full figures for both goods and services trade are available, Irish total exports to China were more than €4.77 billion with a significant level, over half, being Services exports. Ireland's services exports to China have grown steadily over recent years and in 2011 reached their highest level to date of €2.4 billion. Details of Goods and Services trade with China are given in table below.

A number of Ministerial-led Trade Missions to China have taken place, both this year and last. I will also be leading a further trade and investment mission to China later this year. Ministers Cannon, Coveney and Quinn have travelled to China and last year also saw a Taoiseach led Mission to China, in which I participated. The Taoiseach led mission to China was preceded by the visit to Ireland by the new Chinese President, Xi Jinping. This visit further enhanced ties between the two countries. As a result of Xi Jinping's visit to Ireland and subsequent Trade Missions, there have been several Memoranda of Understanding agreed between our two countries in areas such as Science, Innovation, Trade in International Services and Investment.

The Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy is developing initiatives to open new markets and increase the penetration of Irish business in existing markets. China has been identified as a key high-growth and high-potential market for Ireland, and the local market team which reports to the Export Trade Council is implementing a market plan for China. This will continue to build on the excellent bilateral relations that exist between our two countries, to further enhance our trade, investment, education and tourism links with China.

In recognition of the importance of our partnership with China, Ireland has, in addition to the Embassy in Beijing, a Consulate General in Shanghai which is a key commercial centre. Enterprise Ireland is co-located with both the Embassy and the Consulate General. China is one of a number of countries with which Ireland has a Joint Economic Commission. The last meeting of the JEC took place in Dublin in October 2012. JEC's provide an opportunity for intensive bilateral discussions on a range of issues that have the potential to deepen our economic and trade engagement.

Trade Table

*Country specific Services trade data for 2012 will be available in Q3 2013.