Chamber welcomes Chinese Delegation to Kildare
Opportunities identified for collaboration on industry and academic research integration
A high level delegation from the Municipal Government of Guangzhou (population 50m+) visited Kildare on Wednesday 1st July. The Commission of Innovation and Technology (CIT) Municipal Government of Guangzhou meet with thePresident of the Chamber in Kildare, Mr Vivian Cummins and CEO Mr Allan Shine along with representatives from Maynooth University, Kildare County Council, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Federation Ireland.
The high profile delegation was led by the Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, Mr. Dong WANG and representatives from the Foreign Affairs Office, Tourism and Education sectors of Guangzhou Municipality. The main purpose of the visit was to explore the possibilities of the integration of industry and research between Guangzhou and Maynooth University.
The 3 hour meeting examined how:
Kildare can strengthen and extend the existing research relationships between Irish researchers, leading Chinese Institutions and key state laboratories through knowledge and people exchange.
Develop new China-Ireland partnerships focused on research excellence in our strategic thematic areas, that will prove competitive, sustainable and scalable in international funding programmes.
Build greater cultural understanding between Kildare and Guangzhou.
Utilise the experience of research collaboration with China to help Irish companies compete in the world’s second largest economy and to encourage foreign direct investment into Ireland for national economic benefit.
President of the Chamber, Mr Vivian Cummins presented at the meeting and discussed how both economies and various interested groups can further enhance and develop their relationships going forward. The President said “ Whilst China and Ireland operate on different economies of scale, we have from this meeting forged once more a very good working relationship with our counterparts in Guangzhou. The visiting delegation were very impressed with Kildare and what we have to offer.”
Allan Shine, CEO of the Chamber in Kildare said, “ This meeting follows on from our visit to Guangzhou in March of this year, we look forward to continuing our relationship with Maynooth University and key stakeholders in Guangzhou, China and I firmly believe that we will have opportunities to promote Kildare further with Guangzhou into the future. The opportunities presented to us at the meeting further rubber stamp our belief that Kildare is an ideal location for foreign direct investment from China.
