His Excellency Representative Simon Tu addressed the South Kildare Chamber of Commerce on 2nd February 2016 in the Conference Hall of the Irish National Stud. On the gracious invitation of Chamber President Sean Dunne, Representative Tu gave a speech entitled ‘Taiwan’s Economic Situation and Trade Opportunities and Prospects’ to a gathering of around 50 local business leaders and prominent personalities from the around county, including Dean Dunne, Chairperson of South Kildare Chamber of Commerce, Martin Heydon T.D., and the Mayor of Kildare, Cllr. Paddy Kennedy.
Representative Tu briefed participants on the current trade and investment climate in Taiwan with particular reference to recent developments in cross-strait relations and to the exceptionally close commercial links between Taiwan and China. Taiwan is the single biggest investor in mainland China, and Taiwanese firms are among the largest private sector employees in the Chinese economy. Representative Tu discussed the advantages that Taiwan offers as a springboard into China, granting traders and investors the security of an open society with strong rule of law and intellectual property protection, while also allowing them the benefits of Taiwan’s immense distribution networks and supply chains across the Taiwan Strait. He also highlighted areas of particular potential for greater business links between Ireland and Taiwan, making mention of Ireland’s dairy, whiskey, and pharmaceutical sectors. Ireland’s current bilateral trade volume with Taiwan stands at a healthy €552 million. However, there is still much room for improvement, and the Taipei Representative Office will continue to promote exchanges with chambers of commerce and other business associations to deepen the economic relationship between our two countries.
Representative Tu was heartened by the warm reception. The event concluded with a tour of the grounds of the Irish National Stud.
Kildare South Chamber of Commerce CEO George Kenney (left 1), National Stud Chief Executive John Osborne (left 2),
Kildare South Chamber of Commerce President Sean Dunne (left 3), Representative Simon Tu, (right 3)
Left to right: Deputy Martin Heydon and Representative Tu
Mayor of Kildare Cllr. Paddy Kennedy (right 1), Deputy Martin Heydon (left 2), President of the Kildare South Chamber of Commerce Mr. Sean Dunne (middle), Representative Simon Tu (right 2), Mr Rory de Bruir (left 1)
