Opportunities in Asia Pacific region examined at Dublin forum

The conference, a joint APIBF/GAA collaboration, looked at “New Asian Realities” for Irish Business, with a particular focus on technology, financial services, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, education services, food and tourism.

The keynote was delivered by An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore TD, while Asia expert Dr Tom Hardiman, chairman of the Chester Beatty Library, was honoured with the the establishment of the Dr T.P. Hardiman EU-Asia Bursary Award.

Irish business leaders who have already cracked the Asian market spoke of their experiences, including PCH founder Liam Casey, who said the Irish time zone offered an opportunity in itself, allowing us to bridge the time zone differential between the US and Asia.

CEO of Glen Dimplex, Sean O’Driscoll, discussed the considerable challenges involved in working with China, including bureaucracy, intellectual property and contract treatment, and insisted that Ireland has focused too much on China while the opportunities presented by Japan, for example, were largely ignored. Glen Dimplex is today one of the market leaders in electric heating in Japan.

“Exporting out of Ireland and Europe, where is the biggest opportunity?” asked O’Driscoll. “I would say Japan, but you have to work very hard at it, you’ve got to build up that level of trust, and when you do, I believe you can create a sustainable business there.”

Terry Woods of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Ireland was missing out on opportunities also by not participating more actively in the workings of the ADB, while Leo Goodstadt, China Expert and former Adviser to Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten said Irish business should look to Hong Kong as a practical gateway to China.