Asia Business Week kicks off in Galway and Mayo with Indian Ambassador
Bringing jobs and prosperity to the west of Ireland will be high on the agenda when the Indian Ambassador joins a host of key speakers as Asia Business Week kicks off in Galway and Mayo next week.
Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra will join 80 experts from Ireland and around the world for a series of discussions, beginning at ATU Galway on Monday (November 28), on boosting Asian trade links.
More than half the world’s wealth is created in Asia and the government wants two-way trade with the region to reach €100 billion by 2025.
Asia Business Week (November 28 to 30) is hosted by Irish think tank Asia Matters, and its chief executive Martin Murray said the combined GDP of Asian countries (excluding China) is predicted to grow by 5.8% over the next six months.
“The Asia marketplace is responsible for half the world’s GDP, and that’s where Irish businesses should be focusing their energies,” said Mr. Murray.
“Business across Asia is relationship-based rather than the transactional way of doing things we are used to in the west. Any business wanting to expand in Asia, especially businesses in the west of Ireland, would benefit enormously from the invaluable knowledge and experience that our speakers will be sharing.”
On Monday (November 28), at the ATU School of Design and Creative Arts, Wellpark Road, Galway city, Mr. Mishra – who arrived in Ireland 12 months ago to begin his ambassadorial role – will talk to Mr. Murray about the importance of building partnerships between the two regions.
The discussion will be preceded by a debate on the role of the creative industries in creating opportunities for growth, with Fáilte Ireland’s head of business, tourism and events, Miriam Kennedy, Brown Bag Films' SVP technology, John Brady, and Mark Cumberton, co-founder of JAM Media. Asia Matters chairman, Alan Dukes, will provide the closing remarks.
Starting at 1.30 p.m. on the same day, at the PorterShed, Eyre Square, Galway city, a panel with June Butler, CEO, Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, and Crew Digital’s CEO Niamh Costello, among others, will discuss the importance of scaling and innovation.
The following day (November 29), a marine innovation and offshore wind energy session will be hosted by state agency Údarás na Gaeltachta at its offices in Furboghgarve, Co. Galway. Key speakers will include Séamus McCabe, senior development director - offshore wind, Corio Generation, who will provide updates on blue economy opportunities for the west of Ireland, and Caroline Bocquel, interim CEO, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, who will give a talk on seafood innovation.
Asia Business Week in the west of Ireland concludes on November 30 with a discussion on female entrepreneurship at the Glen Keen Estate, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, with Orla Good, commercial director, Portwest, and Sorcha O'Grady, co-founder, Truckscience, and others.
Anyone wanting to attend an event should visit https://asiamatters.eu/asia-business-week.
Asia Business Week culminates with the Asia Matters’ Business Awards, a black-tie event at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8, hosted by Gráinne Seoige.