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Equine and Agri-Food Sectors and Local Entrepreneurship to be Highlighted

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D., will host a regional meeting of the Global Irish Economic Forum in Laois this week (Thursday 19 November). This event, organised in conjunction with Laois County Council and Coolmore Stud, will provide an opportunity for members of the Global Irish Network to engage with world leaders in the equine industry and to contribute positively to developing the agri-food sector in Laois and the wider Midlands region. It will also have a strong focus on entrepreneurship in the area.

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Flanagan said:

“I am delighted to welcome the Global Irish Economic Forum to Laois. The Global Irish Economic Forum has been an important element of our recovery, generating job-creating initiatives, deepening our links with the global Irish and helping to restore our international reputation.

“This year’s Forum looks to our future prosperity and economic resilience. This will offer a particularly good opportunity to showcase the strong agricultural heritage in Laois and the wider Midlands region and how this can be an important tool in helping spread the economic recovery beyond the cities so that it includes rural communities.”

The event, ‘Connecting Laois to Do Better Business’, will consist of panel discussions on the agri-food sector, including local food production and accessing global markets. Members of the Global Irish Network will also meet privately with local entrepreneurs.

Laois is one of four regions chosen to host a Regional Forum. Other regional events will also take place in Limerick, Galway and Derry.