Wen Chen is a chairman of ICSATA which, he says, is a “non-profit organisation endorsed and supported by the Irish and Chinese Governments, primarily to build an international platform for scientific and technological co-operation and exchanges so as to promote the overall collaboration between the two countries in the area of technology, collaboration between the two countries in the area of technology, external trade, educational and cultural links and talent exchange.

“We also  assist both the Chinese and Irish governments to promote the bilateral relationship at all levels – local and national,” he says. “We also work to promote international relations at all levels – local and national.”

The organisation’s first task was to assist in the visit to Ireland by a delegation from China’s southern province of Guangdong in June 2017. During the four-day visit, which was led by Hu Chunhua, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the Guangdong Provincial CPC Committee, a business roundtable meeting was held in which more than 120 Guangdong and Irish entrepreneurs participated.

“Our top priority in 2018 is to promote CIIE,” Chen says. “This is the first event of its kind ever and the largest ever expo of any kind for China. Some 2,800 companies from around the world will exhibit at this event and we expect 150,000 purchasers from China and elsewhere to visit during the six days. Ireland will be represented in a number of critical sectors including food, technology, education, e-commerce, baby products and intelligent equipment.”

The significance of the event is confirmed by the scale of the Irish participation. “This is the largest trade mission ever from Ireland to China with 27 Irish companies and organisations attending. Ireland was one of the first European countries to confirm its participation.”

This happened in May during a food industry trade delegation to China and Hong Kong led by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed. During the visit, Ireland was formally invited by the Chinese government to have a presence at CIIE and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) confirming acceptance was signed by Bord Bia chief executive Tara McCarthy.

Commenting after the MOU was signed, Creed said: “It is a great honour for Ireland to be invited by the Chinese authorities to participate in this November’s event in Shanghai. An event such as this, which is being promoted by the Chinese government, offers the ideal opportunity for Irish food exporters to do business and enhance relationships.”

“It is not just a commercial event,” Chen adds. “It is also very important politically. President Xi Jinping will open it himself. It offers an excellent opportunity for Irish SMEs to meet buyers and get into the Chinese market. ICSTA will be working hard to ensure that Irish companies have a successful and smooth experience at the Expo. We will help arrange meetings for Irish companies to discuss business opportunities with Chinese buyers.”