The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, today [Monday] begins a series of top-level meetings with leading US multinational firms in an effort to draw fresh investments to Ireland.
Minister O’Keeffe is visiting 13 firms in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts in the US east coast region.
The firms span a range of sectors including life sciences, information communications technology and financial services.
Minister O’Keeffe is accompanied by the chief executive of IDA Ireland, Barry O’Leary.
Speaking before leaving for the US, Minister O’Keeffe described the trip as ‘an important opportunity to draw new investments to Ireland and to anchor those we have already won’.
‘The Government’s overriding policy priority is economic recovery and the creation and protection of jobs.
‘This week, I will hold 13 meetings with some of the world’s largest corporations targeted by IDA Ireland, selling Ireland for further investments and strengthening our relationships with firms that have already chosen to locate here and create many thousands of jobs.
‘I will be stressing to the multinational firms that our 12.5pc corporation tax rate remains at the heart of the Government’s strategy to attract foreign direct investment; that our competitiveness is dramatically improving; that the Government is finalising a four-year plan for the public finances; and that the cost of fixing the banks is large but manageable,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.
Mr O’Leary said: ‘Despite the economic circumstances, Ireland continues to win significant foreign direct investment.
‘To date, 67 IDA Ireland client firms have announced new investments this year with 20 of those firms investing in Ireland for the first time.
‘Among the investments this year are D&B, PayPal, eBay, Warner Chilcott, LinkedIn, United Technologies, Merck, Telefonica, EA, Analog Devices, United Health and Google.
‘Ireland’s improving competitiveness, alongside our track record, tax offering, talent and technology base, are helping to position Ireland for future inward investments.’
