Hong Kong plays a valuable role in helping Ireland gain access to the Mainland market and ties have grown enormously in recent years, Ireland's Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment Michael Ahern says.

He also underlined the pivotal role Hong Kong will play as the host of the World Trade Organisation Sixth Ministerial Conference in December.

Business partners: Ireland's Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment Michael Ahern speaks at a luncheon, and chats with Andrew Wong, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Affairs Special Representative to the European Communities.

Speaking in Dublin, Mr Ahern said Ireland's ties with China have grown enormously in recent years and strong links have emerged. Only last month, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern led the largest Irish trade mission ever to Hong Kong and the Mainland.

"When you consider that the second largest mission ever was that led by the Irish President to China, also including Hong Kong, in September 2003, you can begin to get a feel for the very strong links which have emerged," he said.

Ireland-HK trade strong

"Interestingly, at over 830 million euro last year, our exports to Hong Kong were larger than our exports to mainland China. This reflects, in the first place, the strong levels of trade between Ireland and Hong Kong. Many of our companies have seen the opportunities offered there for sales not only of goods, but in particular for sales in Hong Kong's world-class services sector. A number of our indigenous companies in the financial services software sector, for instance, have been very active in developing sales in Hong Kong, to the benefit of both territories," Mr Ahern said.

"The figures also reflect the important role which Hong Kong plays in the burgeoning ties with China, as a significant proportion of our goods exported to Hong Kong are, we believe, destined for the Mainland. For Ireland, as for so many other countries, Hong Kong plays a valuable role in gaining access to the Mainland market."

Mr Ahern said Hong Kong's cross-cultural expertise and the similarities between both places, including legal traditions inherited from the British, very globalised economies, are the city's strengths.

A valued WTO member

Mr Ahern, who will lead the Irish delegation to the WTO Sixth Ministerial Conference in December, also said Hong Kong is a "valued and influential" WTO member and will have a pivotal role to play as host of the conference.

"It is very appropriate that the meeting is taking place in Hong Kong - not only because, being in Hong Kong, we can expect superb facilities and organisation - but also because Hong Kong is a living embodiment of the spectacular development that can and does flow from successful trade liberalisation. We can all learn from your example," he said.

Mr Ahern will visit Hong Kong later this month to gain greater understanding of its strengths.

Hong Kong Economic & Trade Affairs Special Representative to the European Communities Andrew Wong said Hong Kong's economy has finally turned the corner.

He said a number of factors had contributed to the recent economic boom, such as the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and the continued growth of the Pearl River Delta.

"The world's fastest-growing economy is right at Hong Kong's doorstep," he said, adding foreign companies, including Irish companies, are welcome to establish in Hong Kong or to join forces with local enterprises to make full use of these opportunities.