Hey there! Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin just kicked off a 5-day state visit to China, making it the first trip by an Irish PM in 14 years. 🇮🇪➡️🌏
What's on the agenda?
- Meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing
- Explore Shanghai's business hub
- Lead a large Irish business delegation
Why it matters
- Bilateral trade hit $23.4B in 2024, with Ireland enjoying a surplus
- Major sectors: agri-food, pharmaceuticals & aviation leasing
- Potential boost for Irish exports like beef, pet food & value-added goods
Agri-food frontiers 🥩
Irish exporters like Queally Group, trading in meat, pet food & drinks for 25 years, see China as a huge opportunity. After beef exports were paused in late 2023 over a BSE case, access was restored in Jan 2024—but volumes are still bouncing back. The Taoiseach’s visit could smooth the runway for growth.
From Shannon to Hainan 🏝️
Ireland's Shannon Free Zone, born in 1959, inspired China's own SEZ reforms. Now, Irish aviation leasing firms are eyeing Hainan Free Trade Port, which offers zero tariffs on most imports. A new project by Teng Long Aviation Group aims to tap this sweet spot.
For young pros tracking global trends, this visit is a masterclass in how political ties can open trade doors. Stay tuned for more updates on the Ireland-China trade story! 🚀
Reference(s):
As Ireland's PM visits China, businesses back home seek stronger trade
cgtn.com
