5 year integrated plan

Date: 28/09/2010
Posted by: Darragh

GOVERNMENT'S PLAN FOR TRADE, TOURISM & INVESTMENT GOOD NEWS FOR NORTH DUBLIN

I welcome the launch of the Government's integrated plan for trade, tourism and investment saying that it will mean more jobs for North Dublin.

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen has just launched a five-year integrated plan, ‘Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy' which will focus on trade, tourism and investment and aims to create 300,000 jobs and boost exports by one third.

The whole focus of the plan is to create jobs and has the potential to benefit North Dublin businesses and enterprise. The plan aims to create over 150,000 direct new jobs in manufacturing, tourism and international trading services. The aim is also to create an additional 150,000 spin-off jobs nationally.

The Government plan is targeting an increase in the value of Irish exports by indigenous agency assisted firms of one third; increase the number of overseas visitors to Ireland by eight million and attract an extra 780 foreign investment projects through IDA Ireland.

The new five year integrated plan will be implemented by the newly established Foreign Trade Council comprising of all of the relevant Departments agencies.

The Foreign Trade Council will promote Ireland abroad with new ‘brand Ireland' initiatives such as exploiting the marketing potential of St. Patrick's Day and trade missions. The aim will be to open up new markets for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Council will also work to ensure that our visa policy is aligned with strategic business interests and our overseas diplomatic agency representatives.

These are tough times for business and enterprise so I am pleased to see that this plan will bring all of the relevant Government departments and agencies together to ensure that everyone works together in an optimal way to ensure the best results for North Dublin and the entire country.

It is only right that the focus of the Government departments and agencies is on jobs and I am confident that by working together that there will be real potential for job creation. It is about working smarter and harder and this new integrated plan is a major part of that.