An economic profile of the Mid West region has been launched by the Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D.
The document, which outlines the key infrastructure and enterprise supports in place in the region, has been prepared by the Mid-West Regional Authority (MWRA) in conjunction with Shannon Development, Forfas, the wider business community and the region’s four local authorities.
Speaking at today’s launch of ‘Mid-West Region of Ireland: A Proven Region Of Excellence For Business’, Minister for Defence and Mid West T.D. Tony Killeen noted that the future economic development of the Mid West depended on the region’s ability to attract foreign direct investment as well as the continued development of the necessary supports for existing indigenous and multinational operations.
He said: “The newly produced fact file outlines the considerable progress that has been made in the Mid West regarding the establishment of a solid support structure and operating environment for prospective companies wishing to invest in the region. The collaborative approach adopted in the preparation of this profile report further strengthens the Mid West’s status as a progressive region and an attractive investment location.”
“I will be holding a series of meetings with the MWRA and regional agencies in the coming weeks and months with a view to exploring and promoting the job potential of the Mid West at Government level. As a Minister based in the region, I will be urging the Government to continue to work with agencies in the Mid West in order to protect and nurture the competitiveness of the region as an attractive location for inward investment”, added Minister Killeen.
MWRA Cathaoirleach Councillor Leo Walsh stated: “Not only is this document a reminder that the Mid West is a proven region of excellence for business but also it sends out a clear message to the wider business community that the region can and does offer multinational firms real opportunities for expansion and investment.”
Councillor Walsh explained that Shannon Airport with its many links to Europe and North America, along with the US Customs & Border Protection Pre-clearance and Agile Logistics Freight Hub potential, presents internationally trading companies with quality connectivity to key international markets.
He continued: “Significant improvements in our road, air and rail infrastructure have provided ease of access to Dublin and the rest of the country. The Limerick Institute of Technology and the University of Limerick provide a vast pool of highly educated graduates, while they also support research and development for multinational companies presently operating in the region. Furthermore, the provision of high-bandwidth broadband enables companies to conduct business with international markets”.
The fact file outlines to prospective investors the key reasons to establish operations in the Mid-West. They include:
- Heavy investment in education and skills training which creates a pool of highly talented and qualified people
- A strong legal framework for development, exploitation and protection of Intellectual Property rights
- World class access road and rail infrastructure linking the ‘Atlantic Gateways’ of Cork, Limerick/Shannon, Galway and Dublin
- Highest potential in Ireland for generating capacity of renewable energy
- An advanced telecommunications infrastructure, with stateof- the-art optical networks and international connectivity
- Ireland’s corporate tax regime which ranks among the lowest in Europe at 12.5%
- Significant Business Support agencies such as Shannon Development, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland
- 100km deepwater Shannon Estuary which can accommodate the largest unitised cargo ships in the world
- Excellent quality of life and low cost of living
- Collaboration strengths
According to Liam Conneally, Director of the MWRA: “The Mid West presents an ideal operating environment for multinational companies, as evidenced by investments in the region by global leaders such as Avocent, Digital River, GE Capital, Ingersoll Rand, Intel, Lufthansa Technik, Microsemi, Mentor Graphics, Molex, RSA Security and Symantec.”
Mr. Conneally said the fact file has been circulated to all regional development and employment agencies, while the IDA and Enterprise Ireland have committed to promoting the region’s profile at trade fairs.
The document, which outlines the key infrastructure and enterprise supports in place in the region, has been prepared by the Mid-West Regional Authority (MWRA) in conjunction with Shannon Development, Forfas, the wider business community and the region’s four local authorities.
Speaking at today’s launch of ‘Mid-West Region of Ireland: A Proven Region Of Excellence For Business’, Minister for Defence and Mid West T.D. Tony Killeen noted that the future economic development of the Mid West depended on the region’s ability to attract foreign direct investment as well as the continued development of the necessary supports for existing indigenous and multinational operations.
He said: “The newly produced fact file outlines the considerable progress that has been made in the Mid West regarding the establishment of a solid support structure and operating environment for prospective companies wishing to invest in the region. The collaborative approach adopted in the preparation of this profile report further strengthens the Mid West’s status as a progressive region and an attractive investment location.”
“I will be holding a series of meetings with the MWRA and regional agencies in the coming weeks and months with a view to exploring and promoting the job potential of the Mid West at Government level. As a Minister based in the region, I will be urging the Government to continue to work with agencies in the Mid West in order to protect and nurture the competitiveness of the region as an attractive location for inward investment”, added Minister Killeen.
MWRA Cathaoirleach Councillor Leo Walsh stated: “Not only is this document a reminder that the Mid West is a proven region of excellence for business but also it sends out a clear message to the wider business community that the region can and does offer multinational firms real opportunities for expansion and investment.”
Councillor Walsh explained that Shannon Airport with its many links to Europe and North America, along with the US Customs & Border Protection Pre-clearance and Agile Logistics Freight Hub potential, presents internationally trading companies with quality connectivity to key international markets.
He continued: “Significant improvements in our road, air and rail infrastructure have provided ease of access to Dublin and the rest of the country. The Limerick Institute of Technology and the University of Limerick provide a vast pool of highly educated graduates, while they also support research and development for multinational companies presently operating in the region. Furthermore, the provision of high-bandwidth broadband enables companies to conduct business with international markets”.
The fact file outlines to prospective investors the key reasons to establish operations in the Mid-West. They include:
- Heavy investment in education and skills training which creates a pool of highly talented and qualified people
- A strong legal framework for development, exploitation and protection of Intellectual Property rights
- World class access road and rail infrastructure linking the ‘Atlantic Gateways’ of Cork, Limerick/Shannon, Galway and Dublin
- Highest potential in Ireland for generating capacity of renewable energy
- An advanced telecommunications infrastructure, with stateof- the-art optical networks and international connectivity
- Ireland’s corporate tax regime which ranks among the lowest in Europe at 12.5%
- Significant Business Support agencies such as Shannon Development, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland
- 100km deepwater Shannon Estuary which can accommodate the largest unitised cargo ships in the world
- Excellent quality of life and low cost of living
- Collaboration strengths
According to Liam Conneally, Director of the MWRA: “The Mid West presents an ideal operating environment for multinational companies, as evidenced by investments in the region by global leaders such as Avocent, Digital River, GE Capital, Ingersoll Rand, Intel, Lufthansa Technik, Microsemi, Mentor Graphics, Molex, RSA Security and Symantec.”
Mr. Conneally said the fact file has been circulated to all regional development and employment agencies, while the IDA and Enterprise Ireland have committed to promoting the region’s profile at trade fairs.
“Powered by a strong economic outlook, good connectivity, pro-business regulatory environment and cosmopolitan work environment, the Mid-West region is one of Ireland’s stand-out business locations, one that we look forward to promoting through this fact file in the coming months”, he concluded.
The main functions of the Mid-West Regional Authority are to promote the co-ordination of public service provision, and to monitor the delivery of the National Development Plan and EU Structural Fund assistance in the Mid-West region. The Authority coordinates between the four local authority areas of Counties Clare and Limerick, as well as North Tipperary and Limerick City.
The main functions of the Mid-West Regional Authority are to promote the co-ordination of public service provision, and to monitor the delivery of the National Development Plan and EU Structural Fund assistance in the Mid-West region. The Authority coordinates between the four local authority areas of Counties Clare and Limerick, as well as North Tipperary and Limerick City.
