Cork Takes on China
6th September 2010
A strong delegation of representatives from Cork Chamber, University College Cork (UCC), Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Cork City Council arrived in the city of Shanghai this morning to promote Cork and to develop new business opportunities and partnerships in culture, education and research.
The week-long visit builds on the success of previous missions since the twinning of Cork and Shanghai in May 2005. China is now one of the world's leading economies and Cork businesses are competing and seeking to win business in this dynamic and fast changing market. Businesses from the construction, tourism, education, engineering and technology sectors will build on this success and take part in a range of promotional events with their Shanghai counterparts with a view to generating business and highlighting the opportunities which exist for Chinese companies to invest in Cork. UCC and CIT representatives will seek to further develop educational and research linkages while Cork City Council will focus on furthering cultural partnerships.
Speaking in Shanghai Mr Conor Healy, Chief Executive, Cork Chamber said, "Since Cork signed a Sister-City Agreement with Shanghai five years ago we have forged very strong links in the areas of business, education, local government and culture. We must build on these links and use the opportunity provided by the Ireland Pavilion at Expo 2010 to promote Cork as an investment location for expanding Chinese companies. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is designated as Cork Day and we will avail of the opportunity to use the Irish Pavilion to promote the Cork region to potential investors. With a population of over 20 million people, Shanghai presents huge opportunities to further develop trade and economic relations".
According to UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy, "China is an increasingly important market for UCC. This delegation brings together the most comprehensive visiting team ever assembled by an Irish university and reflects UCC's steadily strengthening links with the education sector in China. The intensive round of discussions and presentations during the visit, with senior government officials, Chinese University Presidents, senior managers and representatives of the business community, will take the University's relationship with sister institutions in China to the next level".
Pat Ledwidge, Director of Services - Docklands at Cork City Council said, "The Shanghai Cork Sister City Agreement promotes links in the local government, culture, tourism, education and business spheres. This Cork delegation addresses all of these themes and through the integrated, reinforcing nature of its various proposed activities delivers a very powerful message, not just in Shanghai but to a wider audience in China, about Cork. The delegation also enables people from both Shanghai and Cork to benefit in a practical way from the Sister City Agreement which is designed to deliver benefits to the citizens of both cities".
Also visiting Shanghai is Orla Flynn, Acting Head of CIT Crawford College of Art & Design who said, "Cork Institute of Technology is seeking to explore new and consolidate existing relationships with Universities in Shanghai, Dalian, Wuhan and Jingzhou. Particular areas of interest are in Art & Design, where CIT Crawford College of Art & Design wishes to establish connections with the College of Fine Art at the University of Shanghai, with a view to bringing the work of renowned glass artist Prof. XiaoWei Zhuang and his students to exhibit in the CCAD's new exhibition space at Wandesford Quay Gallery. The National Maritime College of Ireland, which is part of CIT, will also feature in the promotional activity".
For further information please contact:
Conor Healy, Chief Executive, Cork Chamber, tel (087) 9471858
Dick Hogan, Director of Media & Communications, University College Cork, tel (021) 4903771
Orla Flynn, Acting Head of CIT Crawford College of Art & Design, tel (087) 6720540
Pat Ledwidge, Director of Services - Docklands, Cork City Council, tel (086) 8033 519
Lucy O'Donoghue, Membership Development & P.R. Manager, Cork Chamber, tel (021) 4509044
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