Section 1:  China Country Overview
Section 2:  Why China?
Section 3:  Sectors of Interest to Irish Exporters
Section 4:  Case Studies: Irish Experiences On The Ground in China
Section 5:  Where do I begin and how can Enterprise Ireland help me?
Section 6:  How can I learn more about business in China?

Section 1: China Country Overview  

Information on China regarding its geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military and  transnational issues, including a Map of the People's Republic of China, can be found on the CIA The World Factbook.

Current Economic Situation

The reform that started in late 1978 has turned China into the fastest growing major economy in the world. In 2007, China's GDP registered an 11.4% growth, a 13-year high, to reach RMB 24.66 trillion (US$3.24 trillion). In the same year, China also ranked the fourth largest economy in the world, with figures amounting to only approximately 2% less than Germany. The country's GDP growth could reach 9.5 percent in 2008, according to the bank's latest Asia Economic Monitor report. In terms of GDP per capita, China exceeded US$1,000 for the first time in 2003. After a mere four-year period, China more than doubled its GDP per capita to US$2,455 in 2007. Although this figure is still far behind the world's developed countries, it is a respectable achievement for a nation with a huge population - especially one where the majority of its people lived below the poverty line three decades ago.

According to Country Report on March 2009 by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) , the economy is now forecast to slow sharply, from 9% in 2008 to just 6% in 2009, which would be the slowest rate of growth since 1990. A key reason for this is the very gloomy outlook for global demand, which will significantly curb export prospects in 2009-10 and will reduce investment by businesses in export-oriented coastal provinces. In addition to very weak global demand, the domestic economy has been hit by a slowdown linked to developments in the real estate sector, which has seen investment growth slow, reducing demand for heavy-industrial goods, such as steel and cement. Estimated GDP growth is 7% by 2010.

"As the global crisis has intensified, China's exports have been hit badly, affecting market-based investment and sentiment, notably in the manufacturing sector," the World Bank said in releasing a quarterly report on China's economy. The World Bank on Wednesday 18, March 2009 notched down its projection for China's GDP growth for this year to 6.5 %, but said the country is still likely to outgrow most other economies. According to the article Friday 20, March 2009 from Ministry of Commerce The People's republic of China (MOFCOM), the Chinese government has set an 8 % GDP growth target for 2009. However, Zhang Hanya, an economist with the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, forecast GDP would grow 10 % in 2009 if the government's economic stimulus measures paid off..

China PESTLE Landscape

Information on China's political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental landscape is published on China PESTLE Landscape.

China Key Fundamentals Table

Information on China's GDP growth, population, unemployment etc, is published on  China Key Fundamentals Table.

Useful Links - China

For links to China/Ireland business organisations, Chinese Government websites, internet resources on China, news & media sites, trade & exhibition events, trade associations and useful contacts, click on Useful Links - China 

Go to: Section 2: Why China?