The Second Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum (APIBF) was held in Croke Park Dublin on 13 July 2012 organised by Asia Matters, a business organisation based in Dublin. The main objective of the forum was to build and reinforce Ireland – Asia business networks and explore business opportunities in Asia. About 150 participants from various Irish government agencies, embassies as well as academic and business community attended the forum.
The Prime Minister of Ireland Mr. Enda Kenny in his keynote address said that he wants to create a new diaspora by attracting international students to Ireland from Asia. He further mentioned that it is the Irish Government’s priority to fully exploit the opportunities for greater trade and investment with high-growth economies in the Asia Pacific and Gulf regions.
H.E. Ambassador Dato' Ramli Naam, Malaysian Ambassador to Ireland, was one of the guest speakers at the forum together with 6 other Asian Ambassadors under the theme “Where Ireland can partner with Asia to drive business development”. During the session, H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Ramli Naam expressed his hope that the forum could be a win-win situation for both the Irish and the Asian sides. He then invited the participants to explore business and investment opportunities and develop collaborative links in Asia particularly in ASEAN.
The next APIBF 2012 Conference is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 26 October 2012. About 2,000 international participants are expected to participate in the conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Mrs. Sharon Ho, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia London also participated in the forum to promote Malaysia as a leading foreign tourist and business destination.
A Malaysian cultural dance show was performed by 12 Malaysian students in Dublin during the networking reception of the forum, coordinated by the Embassy of Malaysia, Dublin.
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