Representative Simon S.Ku.Tu visited Offaly on April 9th 2018 to meet with local leaders, officials and councillors. In Tullamore, Offaly’s largest town, he spoke to the Chambers of Commerce and exchanged opinions (Q&A) on corporate, business, cultural and tourism issues.
First, Representative Tu met with the Chief Executive and Officers of Offaly County Council. The conversation was based on topics such as the bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and Ireland, investment attraction, tourism, culture and art exchange. He also detailed Taiwan’s latest developments in politics, economy, society, education and transportation, and encouraged the county to consider sending a business delegation to visit Taiwan, which could enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
Additionally, Representative Tu met with Anne Starling, the President of the “Tullamore District Chamber of Commerce” and other important members. He described the current status of Taiwan’s economic development and pointed out that Taiwan is a free, progressive, democratic and high rule-of-law society that can serve as the perfect springboard for Irish businesses to enter the Asian market. Moreover, due to the convenient transportation in County Offaly, there has been a rapid development in the manufacturing and commerce industry. Representative Tu emphasized that Taiwan and Ireland’s bilateral trade volume has reached more than 800 million euro (an increase of 15% from last year and 50% in the last three years). Ireland is also Taiwan’s 12th largest European trading partner (formally 17th) in electronic, agricultural, mechanic, machinery, pharmaceutical and biochemical trade. However, there is still considerable room for development, and he encouraged all sectors of County Offaly and Tullamore to explore the Taiwan market in order to expand economic trade and cooperation.
After the meeting, Representative Tu visited Offaly’s famous “Birr Castle” and was warmly welcomed by Mr. Brendan Parsons, Earl Rosse, who visited Taiwan 9 years ago. Lord Rosse and his good wife kindly gave Representative Tu a tour of the grounds, which included unique Taiwanese plants and pine trees planted on the estate. Lord Rosse also expressed an interest in cooperating with the Taipei Botanical Gardens in hopes to introduce more native Taiwanese plants and flowers to enrich the garden in the estate and promote native Taiwanese flora and fauna.
Finally, Representative Tu visited County Offaly’s largest manufacturer “Grant Engineering Ireland” which boasts over 300 employees, and was warmly welcomed by the company founder, Mr Stephen Grant. Stephen described the company’s automated machinery production process, which produces and assembles heating machines and has been successful in marketing the products to Ireland, the United Kingdom and even Europe. He also mentioned that he purchases heating materials from Taiwan. Representative Tu explained how the machinery, technology and precision metal processing industries are most successful in Taiwan, and encouraged “Grant Engineering Ireland” to expend cooperation project by purchasing more products from Taiwan.
Representative Tu talks to Tullamore Chamber of Commerce about Taiwan-Ireland economic and bilateral trade relations.
Representative Tu takes a photo with Earl Brendan Rosse, who owns beautiful Birr Castle.
Representative Tu stands beside a Taiwanese fir tree, planted on the Birr Castle Estate.
