INTERNATIONAL
Pictured; Mr. Xue Feng, President, Invest Shanghai and Conor Healy CEO of Cork Chamber.
Reconnecting with Shanghai Cork and Shanghai have been sister cities since 2005 and over 18 years strong partnerships, projects and relationships have built up across education, government, business and culture. CEO Conor Healy was in Shanghai recently for the first time since November 2019 representing Cork Chamber as part of a delegation led by Cork City Council, Lord Mayor Cllr. Kieran McCarthy. Along with engagements with Shanghai University, Shanghai International Education Association, Shanghai Planning Department, the Municipal Women’s Federation and Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office the delegation was pleased to have a private meeting with the Mayor of Shanghai. To further enhance business opportunities Cork Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Invest Shanghai an organisation established to promote trade with Shanghai. This MoU commits both organisations to
working together to identify and generate trade and investment opportunities for businesses in Cork and Shanghai over the coming years. The business pillar of the partnership was further enhanced with meetings held with sister Chambers; China Chamber of International Commerce China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CPPIT), Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce and Irish Chamber of Commerce China. The delegation visited the China International Import Expo where Ireland had a strong presence and it was great to drop by the Dairygold Co-Operative Society stand.
Smith along with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland. It was very useful to receive a briefing on the local business environment and market conditions. The combination of friendly, welcoming people, the city’s scale, landmark buildings, and hardworking delegation colleagues ensured both a productive and very enjoyable return to our sister city and we look forward to continuing to build on the relationship.
The new ‘Ireland House’ in the heart of Shanghai brings together Team Ireland of the Irish Consulate led by Consul General Wendy Dorman-
13
