There are 39 indigenous Irish companies active in the Chinese market, many taking advantage of China's need to modernise its infrastructure and services. Air Rianta International contracted to run duty-free facilities at Beijing airport in 1996 and will retail liquor and tobacco at Hong Kong's new airport from 1998. It has plans to expand to other Chinese airports.
Bank of Ireland and AIB are seeking business in the framework of World Bank projects to privatise financial institutions.
The most recent Irish company to establish a base in China is International Translation & Publishing Ltd (Bray). It opened a Beijing office in August to provide localisation services to the international computer hardware and software sectors. It is a prime example of finding a niche market for Irish skills.
Companies which have shown an interest in investing in China include Guinness, Smurfit's, Baileys, Aer Rianta, Glanmire Industries and Shanahan Engineering.
Irish-based companies involved in joint ventures include Norton Pharmaceuticals, Thermo King, Boart Hardmetals, Novum Overseas, Biocon Ltd and Cormer Machinery.
Not all Irish ventures end happily. An Irish-Chinese joint enterprise to run a fairground outside Beijing ran into the sands over illegal gambling on the premises which the Irish partner did not know about.
There is one Chinese investment interest in Ireland: Nivalis Ltd (Dublin) which makes computer discs.
