On November 5, 2021, Beijing time, the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE) was launched. Dr. Ann Derwin, Ambassador of Ireland to China and her party, visited the booth of the Industry and Commerce Association of Ireland (ICAOI) to support it and its Irish member companies in the exhibition. During the visit, Ambassador Derwin was interviewed by China Central Television (CCTV) and expressed her hope that more famous Irish companies will enter the Chinese market.
The Chinese representatives from the Shanghai Office of ICAOI extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Derwin and briefly introduced ICAOI’s development, plan and member companies that participated in CIIE. ICAOI organized three member companies to participate in the CIIE - SHANNON GREEN, POWERSCOURT DISTILLERY and SIEC GROUP.
During the visit, Ambassador Derwin was impressed that SHANNON GREEN combines innovation and Ireland’s unique natural conditions to present the country’s first super premium nutritional milk powder to the Chinese market. She also noted that SHANNON GREEN has successfully entered the Chinese market by cooperating with Fenghehui Group. In addition, Ambassador Derwin said that the well-known and prestigious FERCULLEN whiskey produced by POWERSCOURT, one of the world’s top ten estates, is one of the most important representatives of Irish whiskey. At present, POWERSCOURT FERCULLEN is represented in the Chinese market by Xiamen Yishu Information Technology Co., Ltd., and is principally sold in high-end stores. The Chinese representatives of ICAOI also briefed Ambassador Derwin on the SIEC Group who have been actively promoting Ireland's advantages and speculative opportunities in the fields of economy, culture and education to Chinese investors. Ambassador Derwin expressed the hope to see more and more exchanges and investments between Ireland and China.
Finally, Ambassador Derwin was interviewed by CCTV at the booth of ICAOI. She emphasized that Ireland and China possess a mutually beneficial strategic partnership, and the bilateral trade between them is well-developed. Irish products are highly compatible with the Chinese market and have huge opportunities in China. As the world's first import-themed national exhibition, CIIE provides a significant platform for exchanges and trade between China and Ireland. Ambassador Derwin said she hopes that ICAOI and other internationally influential institutions can take this opportunity to further promote famous and high-quality products and services with Irish components in the Chinese market, deepen the mutually beneficial strategic partnership between Ireland and China, and increase friendly exchanges and development of industry and commerce.
Ms Wendy Smith, Consular General of Ireland to Shanghai, and Ms Christine Shen, Secretary, Consulate General of Ireland, Shanghai were also on the visit.
