merrion street

Following meetings with the Jiangsu Provincial Government in Nanjing and the Yurun Group, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD referred to the exciting possibilities for commercial partnerships between the Irish Agri-food and blood stock industries and Chinese companies in Jiangsu province.

The Jiangsu Government made clear their appreciation of the advances made by the Irish food sector and expressed a willingness to facilitate increased trading partnerships as well as exploring possible investment opportunities in Ireland. The potential market for Irish food products in Jiangsu was discussed. Increased cooperation and investment possibilities beyond the agriculture sector were also suggested by the Jiangsu Government representatives and Minister Coveney emphasised the advantages of Ireland as a gateway for Chinese companies for access to the EU market.

The Nanjing Mayor intends to visit Ireland later this year to further practical cooperation and to assist in the development of stronger linkages with Ireland. Direct networking and trading contacts were facilitated by the attendance of over 100 Chinese and Irish companies at a special business lunch organised by Bord Bia in conjunction with the Jiangsu Chamber of Commerce and the Yurun Group.

Minister Coveney had earlier visited the Yurun Group, the largest pigmeat processing company in the world where he met the Chairman of the Company and Vice President of the Jiangsu Industry Federation. This followed from a previous meeting between Minister Coveney and the Chairman in Ireland last year.

Note for Editors

Jiangsu Province has a population of in excess of 78 million and accounts for some 10% of Chinese GDP. 124 of the top 500 Chinese companies are located in Jiangsu Province. Yurun Company has a turnover in excess of 15 billion dollars and employs over 100,000 employees.