Address by Mr. John McGuinness, TD, Ireland’s Minister for International Trade, at Official opening of new offices of Henry J. Lyons & Partners in Jiefang Building, Shanghai

Tuesday 21st October 2008

I have the greatest of pleasure in formally opening the new Shanghai offices of Henry J. Lyons & Partners. I congratulate the practice on its initiative and commitment to further deepening its presence in the Chinese marketplace. One cannot visit Shanghai without being impressed – indeed awed – by the dynamic pace of growth and progress. Clearly, HJL has recognised the opportunities to contribute to this development.

I understand HJL was established in Dublin, Ireland, ninety years ago and is a renowned architectural practice that provides a comprehensive consultancy service for the design of buildings and urban environments for a clientele in Ireland, Asia and other international markets. The practice established a representative office in Shanghai in November 2006 and has developed close strategic partnerships with a number of engineering, environmental and cost consultants and local design institutes. As a result of its success, it has now formed a wholly owned foreign enterprise and these impressive premises will house its 35 architectural and support staff.

Trade in the twenty-first century is no longer constrained by geographic distance and one of the many remarkable features of Ireland’s current trade performance is the rapid growth of trade with China. We fully recognise the global economic powerhouse that is China today and the Irish Government, through its Asia Strategy, has been actively involved over the past ten years in building and strengthening our trade relations with China. In setting about this, we have had the generous support and encouragement of the Chinese Government from the very highest levels.

There were some news photographs recently of the world’s tallest person standing alongside the worlds smallest. That’s how people might visualise China and Ireland as trading partners! The fact is, we are proud of the fact that a comparatively small country like Ireland can provide the skills and expertise in merchandise goods and internationally traded services that have enabled dozens of Irish companies to build a market in China.

Ireland, because of its comparatively small size, has bred strong export-focused companies who have a wealth of experience, a technologically competitive supply base and a drive and a determination to develop new markets. Ireland today is an enterprise-led economy. Irish-owned companies, such as HJL, have become highly successful players in the competitive global marketplace and are continuously fuelling the growth of the Irish economy.  They are engaged in a continuous dynamic process of transformation centered on innovation and internationalisation.

I now have great pleasure in formally opening these offices and I wish HJL every success in its continued growth in the Chinese and Asian markets.

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