Irish companies expect to net £15 million in extra sales during this week's trade mission to China, Enterprise Ireland said yesterday.

The trip is led by the Minister of State Mr Tom Kitt, and accompanies the official visit of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. Bilateral trade between China (including Hong Kong) and the Republic was worth £675 million, and Irish exports to China, at £228 million, are rising steadily, the agency said.

"We see this as a unique opportunity to promote Irish goods in China, and raise the profile of Ireland as a dynamic and quality source of goods and services," said Mr Dan Flinter, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland.