Bertie Ahern Prime Minister of Ireland
Sustain competitiveness to safeguard the impressive progress of recent years

ith an annual growth rate of nine percent since the mid-1990s, Ireland is one of the world’s most dynamic economies. It has attracted huge inflows of foreign direct investment in the last decade; up to one third of U.S. investment in the European Union is destined for Ireland.
From an agricultural-based state in the recent past, it is now the largest software exporter in the world with IT, chemicals and pharmaceuticals central to the new Irish economy.

The government of Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has steered a course towards modernization with a slick campaign highlighting tax breaks, low costs, skilled labor and access to the growing EU market. Predicted future growth rates of four and five percent will remain well above the European average.

The Celtic Tiger has received fresh impetus from its membership of the EU and the peace process in Northern Ireland. Indeed, Mr. Ahern says the need to secure Ireland’s role in Europe is paramount. “I want Ireland to stay firmly rooted on the European stage,” he says.

With the launch of the euro currency unit early this year, Ireland is a major component in U.S. corporate strategy towards Europe. Ireland has developed itself into a good place to do business and is an increasingly popular vacation destination for Americans.