> Trade, Tourism and Investment

Trade Tourism and Investment

The trade relationship between Ireland and China is very strong.  Since the launching in 2000 of Ireland’s Asia Strategy, with China at its heart, trade between the two countries continues to grow rapidly and Irish investment in China has also increased very significantly.  The current trade strategy, Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, maintains China as a key priority country for Irish exports. In 2011 trade between the Ireland and China was worth about €8 billion. The bulk of this was accounted for by exports from Ireland of services, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, office machinery and software and imports from China of textiles and office machinery. Exports from indigenous Irish companies, particularly food and drinks companies, have increased rapidly in the past two years.  Increasing the export of agricultural products, food and drinks, high quality educational services and financial services are priorities for the Embassy.

Doing business in China can be immensely rewarding and we encourage Irish companies considering exporting to China to contact the Embassy’s Trade Sections, operated by Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, for advice and assistance.  We also suggest that potential exporters contact the various Irish business groupings listed on this site and the European Union China Chamber of Commerce in order to learn from the experience of others who have done business in China.

Ireland also welcomes investment by Chinese enterprises.  Almost 1,000 companies – including some of the world’s best known brands – have chosen Ireland as the hub of their European networks.  Ireland offers investors one of the best places in the world in which to do business, a well educated and flexible workforce, superb infrastructure, an attractive tax system and strategic location.  The Embassy welcomes enquiries to its Investment Section, staffed by the IDA.

Ireland welcomes visitors from all over the world.  The country has an immensely rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. Ireland also offers a wide range of outdoor recreational sports, like golf, horse-riding and angling.