Minister’s US trip to woo investment

26 Oct 2010

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe TD has begun a series of meetings with US multinational firms in an effort to draw fresh investments to Ireland.

O’Keeffe, who will visit 13 firms across the US east coast (in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts) will be accompanied by IDA chief executive Barry O’Leary as they hold meetings with firms from a range of sectors, including life sciences, information communications technology and financial services.

O’Keeffe described the trip as “an important opportunity to draw new investments to Ireland and to anchor those we have already won.”

World’s largest corporations

“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.

O’Keeffe also stressed that Ireland’s competitiveness was constantly improving and that the Government would remain true to Ireland’s current corporation tax rate.

“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 O’Keeffe.

O’Leary noted that “Ireland’s improving competitiveness, alongside our track record, tax offering, talent and technology base, are helping to position Ireland for future inward investments.”

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