Hong Kong Helping Irish Firms To Develop Chinese Markets

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

23 February 2005

Michael Ahern, Ireland's Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, believes that Hong Kong has played a valuable role in helping Irish firms gain access to the Chinese market place.

Speaking in Dublin ahead of a planned fact-finding trip to Hong Kong later this month, Mr Ahern observed that ties between Ireland and China have advanced enormously in recent years, culminating in the Irish government’s largest ever business and diplomatic delegation to China and Hong Kong last month.

"When you consider that the second largest mission ever was that led by the Irish President to China, also including Hong Kong, in September 2003, you can begin to get a feel for the very strong links which have emerged," Mr Ahern noted.

However, at over EUR830 million last year, the Minister revealed that Ireland’s exports to Hong Kong were worth more than its exports to mainland China.

“Many of our companies have seen the opportunities offered there for sales not only of goods, but in particular for sales in Hong Kong's world-class services sector,” he noted, going on to explain that software firms in particular have been “very active” in developing sales in Hong Kong, as a stepping stone to the Chinese market.

"The figures also reflect the important role which Hong Kong plays in the burgeoning ties with China, as a significant proportion of our goods exported to Hong Kong are, we believe, destined for the Mainland,” he added.

Mr Ahern, who will lead the Irish delegation to the WTO Sixth Ministerial Conference in December, also described Hong Kong as a "valued and influential" member of the organistion, and he predicted that the territory will have a pivotal role to play as host of the conference.

"It is very appropriate that the meeting is taking place in Hong Kong - not only because, being in Hong Kong, we can expect superb facilities and organisation - but also because Hong Kong is a living embodiment of the spectacular development that can and does flow from successful trade liberalisation,” he observed.

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