County Carlow & Hunan province from the People’s Republic of China will sign a friendship agreement on Monday 1st April 2019 in a ceremony in Carlow Town Hall as part of an official visit to County Carlow. A delegation led by Xu Dazhe, Governor Hunan Provincial People’s Government , Wang Qun, Secretary General Hunan Provincial People’s Government & Yue Xianoyong, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland will visit Carlow with a view to forming stronger economic , educational and cultural links between the two areas.
The friendship was developed with the support of Yue Xianoyong, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland who has visited County Carlow on a number of occasions in order to assist County Carlow in promoting it as a location of opportunity for all.
Hunan Province is located in the southern part of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Since it lies to the south of Dongting Lake, the second largest fresh water lake in China, it was given the name Hu-nan (literally meaning south of the lake). As the Xiangjiang River runs through the province from north to south, it has been shortened to Xiang. Hunan has a total area of 211,800 square km. a population of 65 million , and is home to the Tujia, Miao, Yao, Dong, Bai, Hui and Zhuang ethnic groups.
Speaking about the visit , Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. Brian O’Donoghue said “it is an honour on behalf of the people of County Carlow to sign this friendship agreement with Hunan Province with a view to forging stronger links with China which provides many opportunities for County Carlow” , O’Donoghue continued to say “we in County Carlow are delighted to extend the hand of friendship to Hunan and we look forward to working on new projects that benefit the people of Carlow and Hunan over the coming months”.
Speaking about the importance of forging international relationships , Chief Executive of Carlow County Carlow , Kathleen Holohan said “we in Carlow County Council have a clear role to support the work of IDA , Enterprise Ireland and Fáilte Ireland in promoting County Carlow as a place of opportunity for investment , tourism , education and culture” Holohan focusing on the economic benefits continued to say “we believe that this friendship will offer County Carlow companies who wish to enter or expand within the Chinese market assistance in gaining insights into the China opportunity and key access to key economic and government decision-makers, in-market intelligence, unparalleled networking opportunities and access to potential partners”.
Speaking about the content of the visit , Kieran Comerford , Head of Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office in Carlow County Council said “we are delighted to host this visit which will include exchanges in IT Carlow , Carlow College , Carlow Museum , Carlow Cathedral , Carlow Library , Visual and an overview of the County Carlow opportunity for our visitors”. The official programme will include representations from Carlow College , IT Carlow , County Carlow Chamber , Carlow Tourism , Rotary Club , elected members and the management team from Carlow County Council.
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For further information contact Kieran Comerford on 086-8252037 or e-mail: kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie
Visiting Delegation Includes:
- Xu Dazhe Governor Hunan Provincial People’s Government ,
- Wang Qun Secretary General Hunan Provincial People’s Government ,
- Yue Xianoyong, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland
- Zhao Wenjiao Deputy Division Chief General Office of Hunan Provincial People’s Government
- Liao Zhiyang Deputy Division Chief International Exchanges Division of Foreign Affairs Office of Hunan Province
- Zhao Hao Male Principal Staff Member European Affairs Office of Department of Commerce of Hunan Province
- Liu Lu Senior Staff Member Protocol Division of Foreign Affairs Office of Hunan Province
- Xu Zhengxian Director General Foreign Affairs Office of Hunan Province
- Xu Xiangping Director General Department of Commerce of Hunan Province
- Ye Renxiong Director General Research Office of Hunan Provincial People’s Government
- Yang Yiwen Mayor Loudi Municipal People’s Government
