The Global Irish Economic Forum will focus on opportunities for job creation and economic growth, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore, T.D., said today as he delivered the opening address at Dublin Castle.
More than 260 of the most influential Irish and Irish-connected individuals from around the globe – members of the Global Irish Network (GIN) – are in Dublin to provide the Government and Irish business with advice and expertise in sectors with a high-potential for job creation.
This year’s event was specifically designed to support the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. Following intensive consultations with the Network, this forum places a greater emphasis on Irish small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Opening the Forum, which is organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Tánaiste said:
“Over the next two days, 260 of our most successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople from home and abroad will take part in 18 working groups and six panel discussions focused on sectors that can deliver jobs and growth. These include financial services, food and agri-tech, higher education, social innovation and the digitisation of the global economy.
“These topics are all closely aligned with the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. There will be a particular emphasis on employment opportunities for young people and in creating the conditions for returning emigrants to avail of jobs and business opportunities in Ireland.”
The CEO’s of 100 Irish SMEs will avail of expert advice from members of the Global Irish Network at a special mentoring event in Dublin Castle tomorrow (Saturday) as part of the Forum. Regional roundtables were held in Cork, Galway and Belfast yesterday as part of the forum.
The Tánaiste added:
“The Global Economic Forum has transformed the way we engage with our diaspora, opening up new networks and opportunities which allow us to increase trade, exports and job-creation. The last Forum in 2011 lead to the launch of The Gathering, the largest ever tourism initiative organised by the State, and Connect Ireland, which aims to create 5,000 jobs in the next five years. I know this year’s forum will also contribute to Ireland’s recovery.”
The Forum runs throughout today and tomorrow in Dublin Castle.
· Full details on the 2013 Global Irish Economic Forum, including a list of participants, the full programme and live streaming of selected panel debates is at https://www.globalirishforum.ie/