The Second Annual Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum Presents Asia Now

The second annual Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum maximizes current business opportunities for Irish companies.

13,Classon House, Dundrum business park, Dundrum, Dublin14 (I-Newswire) July 7, 2012 - The 2nd Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum is set to take place on Friday the 13th of July in Croke Park. At this , the largest annual Ireland Inc business event on Asia, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny is set to address the conference with a keynote speech reflecting the growing trade and opportunities for Ireland in Asia.

“While Ireland has boxed above its weight with the US due to historical and geographical reasons, we now need to go where global growth is and work to establish a similarly close relationship with Asian countries. Countries like Indonesia, India and China are experiencing a rapid rate of GDP growth, often 6% and over. These growth rates indicate an opportunity for Irish businesses outside of our traditional markets,” says Martin Murray, Executive Director APIBF and CEO Asia Matters. “The Taoiseach’s involvement signals the importance of the event coupled with recent high profile trade visits to and from the Asia Region, with a particular focus on China.”

APIBF Patron and CEO PCH International will outline to delegates how he grew a global company by expanding from Cork into China. Alan Dukes, former Minister of Finance will outline the scale of business opportunities for Ireland. Lionel Alexander VP Hewlett Packard will show how Irish companies can leverage relationships with multinationals to access Asian markets whilst Frank Ryan, CEO Enterprise Ireland will outline best practice in exporting to key strategic markets n Asia.

APIBF speaker Colin Lawlor from BiancaMed advises that only 4% of Irish exports go to Asia compared to an 23% average from the 27 EU countries so Ireland has much catching up to do. He will outline his coalface experience in succeeding in Asia along with fellow speakers including Kevin O’ Leary CEO Qumas; Sean O’ Sullivan Managing Partner SOS Ventures, Ken McKnight, Regional Director Asia CRH Group and Donagh McHenry Regional Director Asia Pacific, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard.

“Irish companies are making inroads in Asia. However, over 90pc of Ireland’s exports are from multinationals based here, which essentially means we have to grow indigenous services. There are significant Asia market business opportunities for Irish companies in finance and professional services, innovative technologies, life sciences , food, drink and agritech, education and tourism.,” stated Martin Murray. APIBF will host expert workshops on these sectors at the event.

The annual event , now in its second year, held in partnership with the GAA and Asia Matters, has backing from all major Irish trade bodies including IBEC, Chambers Ireland, Dublin Chamber,the Irish Exporters Association, the Marketing institute of Ireland, Institute of Directors, SFA, ISME, IIA, IFIA. and DCBA.

Enterprise Ireland is sponsoring the event with the support of Dublin City Council ,Green IFSC, PCH and Bank of Ireland

Full programme on : http://www.apibfireland.com