Published on: Monday, 04 July 2016

CIT in partnership with Asia Matters, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Cork Chamber, and KPMG Ireland hosted the Asia Ireland Food and AgriTech forum this week, opened by Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, attended by leaders in the Food and Agri Sector. The Forum looked at overcoming uncertainty to succeed in a changing Asia. The Forum was opened by CIT President Dr Brendan Murphy and opening remarks were made by Tim Lucy, Chief Executive, Cork County Council.

The key note address was made by Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and also Barrie O’Connell, Partner in Charge KPMG Cork and Head of KPMG Ireland – China Practice.

The impressive line of speakers for the first session which discussed:  Driving Business Growth through Market Insights were:

• Moderator: Alan Dukes, Chairman Asia Matters
• Helen King, Director of Consumer Insight, Bord Bia
• Frank Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs, Kerry Group
• Jianglai Weng, Head of Business Development, Beingmate
• Edmund Harty, Chief Executive Officer, Dairymaster

The impressive line of speakers for the second session which discussed:  Advantage through Innovation, Sustainability and Market Access were:

• Moderator: Martin Murray, Executive Director, Asia Matters
• Prof Gerry Boyle, Director, Teagasc
• Paul Kelly, Director, Food and Drink Industry Ireland
• Lorraine Benson, Director Trade Policy, Export Licensing and Bilateral Trade, Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation
• Paul Savage Head of EU and International Division, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine

Mr Gerard O’Donovan, Head of faculty of Business & Humanities, CIT, Mr Martin Murray, Executive Director of Asia Matters, Dr Brendan Murphy, President, CIT, Mr Alan Dukes, Chairman of Asia Matters, Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine,  Mr Tim Lucy, Chief Executive, Cork County Council,  Ms Orla Flynn, Vice President for External Affairs, CIT, Mr Brian McGrath, Head of School of Business, CIT

Edmund Harty, Chief Executive Officer, Dairymaster, Kevin Curran, Head of Enterprise, North and West Cork LEO
 

Gerard O’ Donovan, Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities, CIT, commented: “The Forum was a great success and showed the potential for Irish companies to trade with Asia, highlighting the premium food products we have to offer to that market but also how technology can be a driver for innovation in the sector which will result in greater efficiencies and quality. It is predicted that in a decade Asia will be our second biggest trading partner in food after the UK which show the great opportunities for Irish food and agritech companies.”

Fiona Murphy, KPMG Cork and Michael Kilcoyne ABP Group

Dr Brendan Murphy, President, CIT,  Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Alan Dukes, Chairman of Asia Matters, Barrie O’Connell, Partner in Charge KPMG Cork

The event closed with a networking lunch attended by Cllr Seamus McGrath, Mayor of County Cork and delegates from the forum as well as Cork city and county representatives.