DUBLIN, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Irish exhibitors attending the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opened Friday in Beijing praised the event for bringing opportunities for their businesses, describing it as a platform that demonstrates China's determination to promote globalization.
Patrick Leonard, CEO of Smartline, a Dublin-based startup engaged in automation of design services, told Xinhua that the CIFTIS platform shows China is willing to make globalization more open and inclusive.
Smartline is one of the Irish exhibitors which attended the CIFTIS online. The CEO said China has many large projects underway and the Chinese market is very big with a large manufacturing base, which provides a good business opportunity for companies like Smartline.
He added that the platform is very well organized and presented, which allows easy material uploading and results come out fast. The company's information is framed with categories that give potential customers a consistent experience, which facilitates quick comparison and decision making.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 CIFTIS is held both offline and online. While a number of Irish companies have sent personnel to the event, others have chosen to attend the five-day event online.
Finbarr Cleary, vice chairman of Ireland China Science and Technology Association (ICSATA), told Xinhua that ICSATA is a virtual exhibitor of the CIFTIS and the cloud stand set up by his organization had already received over 300 page views as of Friday, ranking No. 12 in the overall e-stands section.
As a non-profit organization registered in Ireland, ICSATA has been engaged in promoting collaboration between Ireland and China, particularly in areas of technology, trade, culture and education, Cleary said, adding that he believes the CIFTIS platform will enhance business exchanges between the two countries.
Cork County Council is also a virtual exhibitor of the event. Sharon Corcoran, director of Economic Development & Tourism with Cork County Council, said in a video speech at the opening of its cloud stand that the main purpose of the council to attend this year's CIFTIS is to promote tourism of the county.
"We decided to exhibit at this particular conference because we are very aware that there is a growing market in China and many Chinese people are travelling outside China, particularly into Europe," she said.
"We would be delighted to welcome Chinese visitors and we know that they wouldn't be disappointed by what they find when they come to Ireland," she added.
Chinese visitors are of growing significance for the Irish tourism industry. Last year, an estimated 100,000 Chinese people visited Ireland, according to Tourism Ireland. It expects the number of Chinese visitors to Ireland to double to 200,000 in 2025. Enditem
