Top Northern Irish beef processor Dunbia is taking part in the UK trade mission to China led by Prime Minister David Cameron. On the mission is Dunbia’s joint managing director Jack Dobson.
Participation in the high profile mission indicates Dunbia’s commitment to business in China for its beef, lamb and pork products. Dunbia, which is headquartered in Dungannon, county Tyrone, is Northern Ireland’s biggest meat processor and also has plants in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland Executive First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness visited China in May for talks with political and business leaders. Michelle O’Neill, the Northern Irish Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, was in China in October for meetings with key officials.
The Prime Minister is leading the 120-strong mission to Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities.
The trade mission is dominated by representatives of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), reflecting Downing Street's efforts to boost the sector's exports to the world's most populous nation during the next decade.
Other notable delegates on the trip include Rohan Silva, who until earlier this year was one of Mr Cameron's closest policy advisers. Since leaving Number 10, he has joined Index Ventures, a technology-focused investment fund.
Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, which commands a vast audience in China, and Ron Dennis, boss of the McLaren sports car and Formula One racing group, comprise a sporting contingent.
The UK's education and medical technology sectors arewell-represented. FTSE-100 executives include George Weston of Associated British Foods; Richard Solomons, Intercontinental Hotels Group; Jorma Ollila, chairman of Royal Dutch Shell; Xavier Rolet, boss of London Stock Exchange Group; Dido Harding of TalkTalk; and Peter Sands, the boss of Standard Chartered, the emerging markets bank.
Among other multinationals are BP and Unilever.
Mr Cameron's visit follows that of George Osborne, the Chancellor, and Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, last month, during which a number of substantial investments were announced.
Their meetings with the Chinese government were interpreted as a sign that relations between the two countries were beginning to thaw.
