Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, were in Shanghai last week at the head of a 35-strong trade delegation to China and Hong Kong.
The six-day visit was aimed at promoting trade, investment and tourism, and encouraging research partnerships.
“We want to grow and strengthen our economy by opening up new markets for business and exploring new opportunities through investment in science, research and technology,” said Robinson.
“We share a commitment with China to invest in our young people and encourage education exchanges by collaborating with universities right across China.”
At the beginning of the mission, the Carrickfergus-based company Yelo, which designs and manufactures automated test equipment for the electronics market, announced it had secured orders in China worth £1 million (€1.25 million).
Three new clients based in Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai bought temperature-controlled laser diode systems for testing broadband and data-storage equipment used in telecommunications and materials processing, according to Yelo sales and marketing director David Simms.
“The success of Yelo in winning business in China strengthens our conviction that our companies, both large and small, have the leading-edge technology and expertise that China requires,” Robinson said.
