Robinson And McGuinness Seal £1m China Deal

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have announced a £1m contract in China for a Carrickfergus company.

The First and deputy First Minister made the announcement at the beginning of their trade mission to Shanghai.

Yelo designs and manufactures automated test equipment for the electronics market.

Its products are distributed to North America, Europe and Asia and supply corporations, universities and research establishments.

Peter Robinson said: "The success of Yelo in winning business worth £1m in China strengthens our conviction that our companies, both large and small, have the leading-edge technology and expertise that China requires.

"The Executive is committed to developing strong trade links with China and is ready to work alongside our companies to help them harness the very real business opportunities that are developing in one of the world’s most dynamic markets."

Martin McGuinness added: "The scale of this important mission, among the biggest from here in recent years, shows the strength of interest in China from our local companies.

"We want to grow and strengthen our economy by opening up new markets for business and explore new opportunities through investment in science, research and technology.

The Ministers have been joined on their mission to China by Agricultural Minister Michelle O’Neill and Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.

Minister Foster added: "China and other fast-growing Asian economies are increasingly important to Northern Ireland as we seek to further boost our exports. Businesses must grasp these opportunities if we are to transform Northern Ireland into a vibrant, private sector-led economy."

David Simms, Yelo’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: "Three new clients in China, based in Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai have purchased highly innovative temperature-controlled laser diode systems for testing broadband and data storage equipment widely used in telecommunications and materials processing.

"They commissioned us to develop very reliable test systems within a very short lead time. We achieved this by quickly customising our main product to suit the widest range of lasers. Invest NI helped us to take part in two major trade shows in China, which produced contacts that led directly to the new business."

(IT)