NEW trade, educational and cultural links between Limerick and China were consolidated this week following high level meetings in Nanjing, a major commercial centre.
On his return from a five day visit to Nanjing, where he was accompanied by a top delegation from City Hall,
Mayor Jim Long described the outcome as “hugely successful,” with a likely possibility of big Chinese investment in the region.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, he said:
“We discussed the training of Chinese pilots in Shannon International Airport, exchanges within our respective universities and IT and software links within our National Technological Park in Plassey.
“There is potential now to advance this opportunity to develop Limerick’s links with a huge Chinese market and we are embracing it with open arms and encouraging even further economic links between our respective cities”.
The development follows on from previous meetings between Mayor Jim Long and the Mayor of Nanjing, Mr Ji Jianye, the latest of which was in December.
During that visit the Nanjing Municipality officials examined economic opportunities, software/financial services industries and available industrial parks in the Mid West. They also explored the Shannon Free Zone and the University of Limerick.
Confirming the signing of a memorandum of friendship and co-operation between Limerick and Nanjing, the mayor said this signals a new era in co-operation between both cities.
“There is an agreement to actively pursue exchange and co-operation in various fields including trade, education and culture and during our visit to Nanjing, which has a population of eight million, with a number of educational collaborations with Ireland, they expressed an interest with keeping in close contact with the University of Limerick and beginning exchanges and co-operation in science/technology entrepreneurship and information technology research.
“We have now captured a real opportunity for Limerick. Dublin has established strong links with Beijing, Cork has strengthened its trade with Shanghai and now Limerick has firmly captured an economic and cultural link with Nanjing, which I’m very much looking forward to progressing”.
In Nanjing, the delegation also met with its Mayor, Ji Jianye, the Deputy Mayor Luo Qun in charge of industrial development, Yang Weize, who led the Nanjing delegation to Limerick in December, Director General of the Nanjing Yuhua ‘Software Valley’ District, Zhang Yixin and other Chinese delegates.
Mayor Long has confirmed that discussions are already in place for a further visit to Limerick by Nanjing representatives later this year.
