REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND , MARY McALEESE,
AT AN ENTERPRISE IRELAND BUSINESS BREAKFAST
KEMPINSKI HOTEL, BEIJING ,
FRIDAY, 10 OCTOBER, 2003 .

Tá an-áthas orm bheith libh anseo ar maidin agus mé tar éis tósnú ar mo chéad turas oifigiúil chuig an tSín.

Good Morning. It is a great pleasure for me to be here today, on my first official visit to the People's Republic of China . I would like to express my personal thanks for the tremendous warmth and welcome I have received from everyone. In particular, I was greatly honoured to have the privilege of meeting with President Hu Juntao in the Great Hall of the People last evening.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to say a few words to this audience of Irish companies who are successfully doing business in China , together with their valued Chinese customers and partners.

During these ten days in China , I am leading the largest Irish trade mission ever to visit China and, indeed, one of the largest overseas Irish trade missions ever. The size of this mission, the diversity of industry sectors represented and the many leading Irish companies who are taking part, all testify to the growing ties between our two countries and the eagerness of Irish companies to do more business in China .

We are proud of the fact that Ireland , one of the smaller countries of the world in size and population, has, in recent years, developed the capabilities to build a successful and fast-expanding trading relationship with the world's largest market. In the past five years, there has been a significant growth in the number of Irish companies that are visiting, doing business and have representation in China . Long may this trend last.

We in Ireland are very impressed by the many indications of China 's rapid economic growth and the scale of its transformation into a dynamic, market-led, open economy. It is clear that China has moved into a central position, not just as the principal engine of growth in Asia , but also as a key player in global trade.

In size and sheer scale alone, China is at the top of the agenda of opportunity for Ireland . The reasons are clear. China has a vast population and a rapidly growing economy - one that has been liberalised and deregulated and is clearly opening out to the world. China already accounts for almost 5% of world trade and is the dominant recipient of foreign direct investment, estimated at $55 billion last year. Ireland is anxious to attract its share of this vast potential and to build on the very good relationships with China which are developing every day.

It is evident that China is coming into its own, alongside the European Union and North America as one of the three great economic regions of the world. The globalisation of business, spurred by trade liberalisation and advances in information technologies has, in many respects, removed distance as an impediment to trade. But, beyond that, Ireland , for all its small size, has a special relevance to China .

Ireland took on the challenge of moving from economic insularity to openness and did so successfully. We have transformed a largely agricultural economy into one that is focused in the main on internationally trading, high technology manufacturing and services companies. The way in which Ireland has managed this change and, in the process, has become one of the world's most consistent growth leaders, is of considerable interest throughout Asia , and this has given Irish companies doing business in the region a relevance in background, experience and know-how.

This breakfast meeting provides an occasion for informal networking - seeing old friends and meeting new ones. We have with us this morning key decision makers who will help shape future business relationships and opportunities between your own organisations and many of Ireland 's most outstanding and experienced internationally trading companies.

It is also an opportunity to look more closely at the development of commercial and trade links between our two countries and focus in particular on what can be identified as areas of significant future potential.

The changing global marketplace has major implications for Irish-Chinese trade. Distance aside, we have all the elements for working more closely together. We have been working hard to build a strong awareness and a positive image of Ireland among Chinese. Our similarities are greater than our differences and from what I have heard from the companies here, we have a similar business culture of enterprise and innovation. We have many business skills and competencies that complement each other very well in terms of selling into world markets.

I would like to say a few words about Ireland 's current economic performance. The Irish economy continues to be one of the leading economic growth performers in the industrialised world. In the five years to 2002, Ireland's average annual growth was more than three times that of EU and OECD countries, and one of the highest anywhere in the world.

Even in the context of the present global economic slowdown, Ireland 's projected growth over the next few years will still be well ahead of other OECD countries and this will maintain Ireland 's position as one of the world's growth leaders.

The Irish economy is driven by strong export growth. An estimated 85% of Irish manufacturing output is exported, making Ireland , on a per capita basis, one of the world's top three merchandise and software exporters. EU membership was a decisive milestone in opening Ireland to the global marketplace and diversifying its international trade. There has been a huge growth in Irish sales throughout the European marketplace, as well as to North America , the Asia Pacific region and other global markets.

One of the aims of today's breakfast meeting is to further raise the profile of Ireland as a world-class supplier of products and services to the increasingly sophisticated Chinese market. Specifically, we want to promote the product and service capability of Irish companies currently doing business here and to encourage mutually beneficial, collaborative business ventures between our two countries.

Irish companies are obviously keen to increase sales to China but there is also considerable scope for Irish and Chinese companies to join forces in opening up new market opportunities for both in the wider Asia Pacific region. The huge, fast developing economies of Asia Pacific have become a prime target of Irish export development. Similarly, Ireland offers excellent opportunities to Chinese companies who are seeking business partnerships in product development and marketing in the newly expanded, relatively wealthy, European Union.

Today's successful companies must think in terms of global customers and global opportunities, and the most effective way to achieve sales growth is through the creation of strategic alliances among export-led companies. I am glad to learn that there are already a number of such alliances between Irish and Chinese companies and some good examples are here with us today. There is scope, however, for more linkages through investment, technology transfer, joint ventures, acquisitions, and other forms of joint marketing and trade relationships.

Ireland 's active development of markets throughout the EU and our increased access to the fast growing economies of countries such as Hungary , Poland and the other incoming members of the EU, makes it an ideal partner for joint ventures with companies from other parts of the world. Ireland has many companies, of proven excellence and performance, with the market access, contact networks and local knowledge to partner you in Europe . We have been members of the EU for thirty years now, so, we know our way in the Union and in its emerging market of 500 million people!

Our host today, Enterprise Ireland , works with Irish companies and business interests around the world to develop partnership opportunities. In the IT, education and high technologies sectors, in particular Ireland has much to offer. These are sectors where innovative companies, institutions and businesses with leading edge products and services can thrive. They are also sectors which have changed Ireland 's future for the better. Our education sector in particular can take more than a little credit for preparing Ireland 's young people to take full advantage of the second industrial revolution. We had missed the first industrial revolution by a long way, held back by the culture of underachievement that comes from endemic poverty and poor education. Today a self-confident Ireland offers free primary, secondary and third level education, opening up access to its greatest natural resource which is the genius, talent and resourcefulness of our own people. Hand in hand with our economic success has come a vibrant cultural assertiveness, with Irish music, dance, literature, film, theatre, art, experiencing a remarkable level of global recognition and reach. And we have grown more curious about other cultures - among them the fascinating culture of this land which houses a fifth of the world's population and much of the world's story. The vibrant cultures and traditions of China are part of our common heritage. They go back to the very dawn of civilisation and have much to offer in enriching our cultural experiences in Ireland and, indeed, in the West generally. It would be a very good thing if new trade openings were followed by the ending of barriers to awareness and appreciation of China 's distinctive culture, for there can be little doubt that trade flourishes where cultural curiosity flourishes.

I would like to conclude by thanking you for your time and wish you all every success in your existing and future business relationships. Xie Xie Nimen.