Seminar to help Irish companies ‘connect to China’

The financial crisis has further enhanced China’s importance in the world economy. With that in mind, a group of five Irish third-level institutions have come together to help Irish small businesses to make their first moves into the world’s second-largest economy and to succeed there.

The Ireland-China International Strategic Collaboration Programme (ISCP) funded by Science Foundation Ireland and led by NUI Maynooth will host a Connect to China seminar at Carton House Hotel in Maynooth tomorrow afternoon.

The seminar aims to provide an introductory educational and networking resource for those interested in expanding their business or strengthening their links to the Chinese market.

The Chinese domestic consumer market continues to go from strength to strength and Chinese companies are increasingly emerging as not only outsourcing partners for Western business but also as their competitors, according to Prof Bernard Mahon, the vice president of research in NUI Maynooth.

Greater understanding
"With these market trends in mind, it is becoming more important for Irish universities to support the business community to gain a greater understanding of the Chinese economy and Chinese society," he said.

Paul Lavery of McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors will discuss the legal considerations of conducting business in China. Enterprise Ireland's market adviser for China and Japan Philip Singleton will give advice on business culture and practices in China.

Acting director of Science Foundation Ireland Dr Brian Harrison, Eileen Sharpe of the IDA and a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Dublin are also among the speakers.

The seminar will also explain how you can use Irish research networks to support your connection to China.