GROWING YO UR BUSINESS
International Solidarity The past weeks of global pandemic have seen a strange return to the raising of ‘borders’ throughout Europe and further afield, as countries and economies have struggled to find a balance between keeping trade and supply chains open, and protecting their people and goods in the name of public health. However, societally, the pandemic has exposed great solidarity at national and global level, demonstrating how international co-operation, human assistance and kindness can be transformative and powerful tools in the face of a global crisis. In difficult times, the soft power of diplomacy is critical. It is important to acknowledge the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and in particular the Irish Embassies and Consulates abroad, whose teams have worked tirelessly to repatriate our fellow Irish citizens since the crisis began. Over 5,000 Irish citizens have been brought home to Ireland in the past month alone and in the past weeks Irish missions abroad and consular teams have helped Irish citizens return from places as far flung as Vietnam and Cambodia, New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa.
Delegates at the PPE donation ceremony in Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office
Global village
Ireland is part of global village and our interdependence has never been more evident. In strong recognition of the importance of pan-international collaboration, Simon Coveney, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has not only committed 10 million euro to the UN’s Covid 19 humanitarian appeal, but has also announced that Ireland plans to quadruple its normal annual financial contribution to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to €9.5 million for 2020 after the US suspended their WHO funding contribution. Ireland’s long-standing international relationships have borne dividends in recent weeks, as evidenced by the extensive public-private collaboration and pro-bono work undertaken to produce, source and hasten the arrival of much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline workers. Cork’s Sister City Shanghai has made generous donations of PPE, as have several other sister cities, Chambers, bi-lateral business organisations and individuals both in China and Ireland. The significance of our international diaspora and their generosity at this time, too, cannot be overstated. The Irish expat community in China raised almost €20,000 for the purchase of PPE for Ireland, and Irish diaspora and community groups in the US are playing their part to raise funding for Irish expats and Irish communities who have been been impacted by Covid 19.
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Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. John Sheehan delivers a donation of PPE from Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce (China) to The Mercy Hospital, Cork.
Fostering international business relationships from Cork
Nurturing and maintaining international relationships requires time, patience and understanding, however if this time is invested, then our international relationships can pay huge dividends and reap rewards. While international travel has all been put on hold, and is unlikely to resume in the short- or even medium-term, the Chamber continues to support Cork businesses by maintaining communications with our international partners, supporting the exchange of information and advice through our networks, promoting international business partnerships through Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and supporting exporters with an extensive Certificate of Origin documentation service.
