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4. Start adding Cairde through the List of APIBF Members!

Who runs the APIBF?

The APIBF is a organised by a core team of volunteers from across the Asian Region together with a few others previously based in Asia but now in Ireland or elsewhere. While its principal activity is the organisation of the annual Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum on the eve of the Asian Gaelic Games, 2011 saw the introduction of a mini-APIBF event at Croke Park in Dublin. This was an outcome of the APIBF hosted in Hong Kong in 2010, with the aim of bringing to an Irish business audience some of the expertise and networks developed in Asia by the Irish business groups and supported by the GAA.

Over 300 delegates from Ireland and Asia attended the Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum (APIBF) at Croke Park on Friday, 17 June 2011.
In addition to the networking opportunities with Irish business people and organisations based in Asia, a key take away for Delegates was the APIBF Directory 2011-12 which includes details of Irish business groups and key contacts in the Asia-Pacific and Gulf Regions. The publication of this Directory was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

How did the APIBF come about?

The APIBF was an initiative of Peter Ryan in 2007 & grew out of a conversation with Barry O’ Brien (CEO of Campus Ireland, formerly of the Royal College of Surgeons) during the visit of President Mary McAleese to the Asian Gaelic Games in Phuket, Thailand in 2002. The idea was simple - to use the platform of the annual Asian Gaelic Games to link the GAA network with the Irish business groups in the region for mutual benefit - to see how we could begin some practical co-operation across the region.

The initiative was enthusiastically embraced by Colin MacDonald & Moira Lynam of the Irish Business Association in Singapore (now the Irish Chamber of Commerce, Singapore) & Robert Agnew of the Irish Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong. The first event in Singapore in 2007 was supported by the local Embassy & Enterprise Ireland, with active engagement by Michael Garvey (then Director Asia). Tony Coughlan of McCraic Holdings did the on the ground logistics & Micheal & Sherry Collins built the online presence & have kept the show on the road since that time. The Chairman of the Asian County Board of the GAA, Paraic McGrath & his colleagues across the region have been key in helping to build and sustain the event.

How is the venue for the APIBF chosen each year?

The APIBF will be held each year in the host city for the Asian Gaelic Games. The Asian County Board of the GAA has responsibility for conducting the bidding process for hosting the games & the host city is announced typically 10-12 months ahead of the event.

What is the cost of attending the APIBF?

The APIBF, as a not-for-profit group, does not charge admission fees for its annual forum. This is due to the support of a small number of sponsors.

Why should I attend this year’s APIBF?

The event offers business connection opportunities for Asian & Irish business people:

• Join the single largest business gathering of businesses with connections to Ireland in Asia-Pacific & the Gulf Regions;
• Benefit from experience sharing with the Irish business community in the region;
• Build networks during the facilitated sessions;
• Learn about Hong Kong & China as the engine of the Asian economy - government policy to support trade & industry, benefits from the Irish double taxation tax treaties & Hong Kong as a regional hub for investment in Asia;
• Hear from practitioners about business establishment & and operations in China on a sectoral basis;
• Understand why Ireland is the most favourable hub for outbound investments to the EU;
• Experience sharing and learning about common business sectors targeted for significant investment in Asia & Ireland.

What are the Business & Finance Asia Pacific Awards?

Looking to build a stronger profile in Ireland & with the Irish business community globally, the APIBF works closely with Ireland’s leading business publication, Business & Finance magazine on the above awards which recognise key Irish professionals & companies in the region. The judging panel for the awards is chaired by Dick Spring & includes Dr Tom Hardiman, Ian Hyland (Publisher B & F), Richard Barrett (Treasury Holdings), Hugh Brady (UCD), Brendan Waldron (Ireland China Association), Constantin Gurgdiev (TCD) & John Walsh (Editor B & F).

How can I support the event & the ongoing work?

You can become a key sponsor for the APIBF & be branded as the event sponsor in all promotional materials. Or you can target specific delegates by sponsoring a workshop in financial services, technology, supply chain management, education or life sciences. In addition you could display your company’s products and services to the delegates by having a stand at the event.