Thanks to Frank Ryan and all at Enterprise Ireland for organising this breakfast briefing. I am very pleased to be with you this morning. It is very energising to be among a group of people who are so clearly fired up about our mission to China.
At a political and official level, my Government has been working hard to ensure that this visit to China is a success. All of you, by your presence here this morning, are playing a vital part in supporting the success of our mission.
As you know, the key objective of our mission to China is to strengthen relations between our two countries. It is vital to Ireland’s national interests that our companies tap into the enormous business opportunities that exist here, and that we also connect Ireland with China’s vast outward investment potential.
Economically and politically, there has never been a better opportunity for the Irish Government to work with our Chinese counterparts to build this relationship.
We have been working hard to build a strong awareness and a positive image of Ireland here in China. The official visit of Vice-President Xi Jinping to Ireland last month was a great honour for our country. Everywhere he visited, he was welcomed by Irish people with tremendous enthusiasm. His visit had a huge positive impact in further strengthening the bonds of goodwill and friendship between Ireland and China. His visit was of major significance in highlighting the opportunities for Irish companies to work with local partners and customers in accessing growth opportunities in China.
This week, our mission here in China is to further strengthen our evolving bilateral relationship with the Chinese Government, its agencies and ministries, and Chinese firms. As you know, my meetings with Vice President Xi and Premier Wen are important opportunities to further this agenda.
Thanks to the superb work of our Embassy and Consulate staff here in China, and the sterling efforts of Enterprise Ireland and our other agencies, we are looking forward to a busy and successful visit.
I am happy to report that, following the global financial crisis, the Irish economy is growing again. Ireland’s economy is fundamentally sound; our public finances have been stabilised, our exports are at record levels, and foreign direct investment is booming. The business world knows that Ireland is recovering well.
China, I believe, also knows this.
Ireland is one of the most open economies in the world. Our economic recovery is being driven by our exporting firms, including many represented here this morning. Thankfully, Irish companies are proving themselves to be world leaders in the dynamic process of transformation and internationalisation. It is because of our capacity to adapt and innovate that that our small country is able to win solid business in China, the global economic giant of the 21stCentury.
I believe that the similarities between the Irish and Chinese peoples are more relevant than our differences.
We have a surprisingly similar business culture, centred on enterprise and innovation.
We have many business skills and competencies that complement each other very well in terms of selling into European and world markets. It is a source of great pride to us that Irish firms are successfully winning business in this great country.
I believe our similarities in business reflect other important things that we have in common. Ireland, like China, has a long and illustrious history and tradition, going back some five millennia. In recent decades, both Ireland and China have moved rapidly toward a knowledge-based economy founded on innovation and technology. We both have innovative business and commercial development policies that are driven by cutting-edge information technology. Yet, we have each managed to successfully balance the importance of tradition and the challenges of modernisation.
Ireland’s entrepreneurial culture is strong, and our support structure for enterprises is among the best available anywhere in the world. The Irish Government is now the largest provider of venture capital in Europe in terms of the number of investments made. Ireland is the perfect location for overseas entrepreneurs to create innovative start-ups.
New changes to our visa regime make it easier for entrepreneurs to invest or establish businesses in Ireland.
Ireland is open for business and this is an excellent time to invest in – and benefit from - Ireland’s recovery.
For its part, China is a modern, dynamic and consumer- driven economy. There is a wealth of opportunities for Irish and Chinese business to work together and to generate income and value. I’d like to assure you of the Irish Government’s full support in developing trade and technology links between Ireland and China.
Thank you all for your continued support.