China-Ireland trade volume

The trade volume between China and Ireland hit 5.87 billion US dollars in 2011, an 8.6% increase over the previous year. By 2011, Irish companies have invested around 641 million US dollars in China while the investment of Chinese companies in Ireland stands at 148 million US dollars, maintaining a successful rate, Chinese news agency (Xihnua) reported. "The increasingly expanding of bilateral trade and economic cooperation has brought substantial benefits to both people and deepened the friendship between China and Ireland," said Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on his current visit to Ireland. Jinping hailed the booming trade between China and Ireland, calling for more effort to tap the potential for bilateral economic cooperation. In his address during the Sino-Irish economic and investment forum, the Chinese VP said he was pleased with the good momentum in Sino-Irish trade and economic cooperation. He told business leaders that China''s imports are expected to hit 8000 billion US dollars in the year 2015 and its overseas investment will reach 500 billion US dollars, which would provide huge business opportunities for companies across the world including Irish companies. (QNA) D T/LY