On the 3rd of April 2018, Representative Simon S. K. Tu was invited to speak at the “International Trade Institute (ITI) class 2018” which will take place at “Dublin City University (DCU)” over the next 8 weeks. The ITI training includes an Overseas Learning Course in Ireland. Special guests are also included Mr Joseph Wu, Managing Director of the Taiwan Trade Centre in London, Niamh O’Mahony Director of Business Development (at DCU) and of course, 21 outstanding young students from Taiwan.
DCU Director Niamh O’Mahony began the event by welcome the group and explaining the significance and importance of the workshop and cooperation between Ireland and Taiwan. Representative Tu delivered his speech and describing how the participants in overseas trade class are the future force for Taiwan’s foreign trade industry. Tthe students will have the opportunity later to study, focus on their language skills and enhance the characteristics and business practices of the Irish and international markets. Importantly, the students will also be able to increase their understanding of Irish culture through their homestays, which will enable them to fully experience Ireland’s rich cultural, historical and geographical environment. Representative Tu also highlighted the extent of Irish-Taiwan relations by describing how the total bilateral trade volume between the two countries has reached 800 million euros in recent years (an increase of 50% since 2015), rendering Ireland rise from Taiwan’s 17th largest trade partner to its 12th largest. Ireland’s transportation, finance, banking, legal and taxation standards are all extremely high, and he described how it is vital Taiwan and Ireland learn from each other to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Furthermore, once Brexit is finalised, Ireland will become the only English-speaking country in the European Union. As Ireland’s international standards for manpower and language are on the top, it is the perfect candidate for Asian countries (including Taiwan) to invest in cooperation and establish overseas strongholds. In fact, the small corporate taxes of 12.5% and high level ICT skill in Ireland has already attracted large international companies such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, IBM and Apple to establish European Headquarters here. Yet there is still much room for expansion in the future. Hopefully the young students will study hard and learn to use their new skills to build an important bridge for the future relationship between Ireland and Taiwan.
This year marks the 10th consecutive year of the International Trade Institute (ITI) and Dublin City University (DCU) cooperation. Taiwan’s economic and foreign trade skills have yielded excellent results and high praise in the increasingly competitive international market. This year, the International Trade Institute organized a total of 21 young Taiwanese students to visit Ireland and partake in the course. The course material is extremely comprehensive, which includes the introduction of Irish economic and trade development, corporate investment, company management and operation and internships at different companies. Thanks to the meticulous organisation of DCU, the students will be able to enhance their understanding of the business characteristics of the Irish and international markets, management and workplace. They will also be able to strengthen their English proficiency, which is conducive to the future of foreign language communication and coordination and market management.
Representative Tu (middle) stands with the Director of the DCU Niamh O’Mahony (centre left), International Trade Institute Chairman Wu (middle right) and all trainees in front of the school gate.
Representative Tu (middle) makes a speech at the opening of the “International Trade Institute class 2018” held in Dublin City University (DCU).
