Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between Cork and Xuzhou
A high profile Chinese trade delegation participated in a business seminar being hosted today by Cork County Council at County Hall. The visiting delegation included senior representatives of a number of large, influential, companies based in the city of Xuzhou and the wider Jiangsu Province in China.
The visiting Chinese companies represent key potential growth areas for trade between the two regions, including Construction, Food & Beverage, ICT, Energy, Pharmaceuticals and Transport. The main focus of the business seminar was to explore opportunities to develop economic, education and cultural links between Cork and Xuzhou in China. The Mayor of Cork County, Cllr. John Paul O’Shea and the Mayor of Xuzhou, Mr. Tiegen Zhou also signed a Memorandum of Understanding at this morning’s seminar, further cementing the burgeoning relationship between the two regions.
Mayor O’ Shea and Mayor Zhou signing the Memorandum of Understanding between Cork County and Xuzhou.
The Mayor of Cork County, Cllr. John Paul O’Shea, expressed his delight at being able to welcome the Chinese delegation to Cork. “I’m thrilled to be able to extend a warm Cork welcome to our Chinese visitors, particularly as we received such a warm welcome when we visited Xuzhou and Jiangsu Province in China last November. This return visit represents a golden opportunity for us to continue exploring potential business, education and cultural links between our two regions.
“I’m particularly delighted that a number of our local business leaders from key areas including Education, ICT, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals and Finance have agreed to speak at our seminar today. We are also privileged to have a number of prominent Chinese business leaders attending the seminar, so I have no doubt that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding today will be a catalyst to strengthening the flourishing relationship between Cork and Xuzhou,” concluded the Mayor of Cork County, Cllr. John Paul O’Shea.
From Left to Right: Chief Executive of Cork County Council Mr. Tim Lucey with Mayor of Xuzhou Mr. Zhou, Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea and Deputy Mayor of Xuzhou Mr. Wang at the signing the Memorandum of Understanding between Cork County and Xuzhou.
Cork County Council is focused on highlighting the economic development, education, tourism and cultural exchange potential which exists between Ireland and China and, specifically, between Cork and Xuzhou. Situated in the northwest of Jiangsu Province, almost midway between Beijing and Shanghai, Xuzhou City is one of China’s most influential transportation hubs. The city has a bustling industrial, education and cultural heritage with a population of approximately two million people.
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding this morning, the President of Cork Chamber, Barrie O’Connell will deliver an overview of the local economy, followed by contributions from locally-based experts in the areas of Education, ICT, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals and Finance. Tim Lucey, Chief Executive of Cork County Council will bring proceedings to a close with a review of this morning’s seminar.
Developing a relationship with Jiangsu Province in China is part of a South-West Regional approach, which has Cork City Council building a long-standing relationship with the Municipality of Shanghai and Kerry County Council developing a relationship with Zheijiang Province, situated to the South of Jiangsu and Shanghai. Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zheijiang represent the three most economically developed parts of China.
