Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:100 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the value of imports/exports from, and to, the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Trade With China.
Trade between Ireland and the Peoples Republic of China over the last number of years has been disappointingly small and does not reflect the potential of both economies. In particular, our exports to China have remained at a very low level resulting in a large trade balance in favour of China.
In recent times China has been making efforts to move towards a market based economy and this, allied to the gradual opening up of their market will hopefully benefit Irish exporters. In April of this year I led a group of eleven Irish aviation services companies on a trade mission to China. I found that the market for aviation services throughout Asia and especially China is growing and Ireland, as a major international centre for the industry, is well placed to take advantage of this growth.
I will circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement which details Ireland's trade (imports and exports) with the Peoples Republic of China in each of the past three years. These figures refer to merchandise trade and do not include trade in services which I believe shows the greatest potential for expansion with the Peoples Republic of China.
Trade with China.
|
Year |
Imports |
Exports |
Balance |
|
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
1990 |
50,764 |
4,439 |
–46,325 |
|
1991 |
74,789 |
4,811 |
–69,978 |
|
1992 |
86,454 |
9,353 |
–77,101 |