Mid-West
Conference & Dinner
Panel Discussions
PANEL ONE
Innovation and Talent in the Mid-West Region
This panel discussion will focus on the Mid-West region as a hub for innovation and talent.
According to a recent AmCham Quarterly FDI Insights survey, Skills shortage was ranked as the second most important challenge, after housing, for Ireland to overcome for companies to invest and expand here. According to the survey, 69 percent of respondents said their organisation is currently experiencing a skills gap in Ireland. 31 percent of respondents said their biggest skills gap is in engineering, 24 percent of respondents said digital and data, while 16 percent said machine learning and AI.
However, AmCham and our members recognise that establishing Ireland and the Mid-West Region as a hub for innovation and research will help to attract top talent to the region. In the most recent AmCham Quarterly FDI Insights survey, 52 percent of members are currently undertaking one or more research project in Ireland and 76 percent of members said that they would like to see more collaboration between industry and 3rd level institutions to support research and innovation and to future proof our talent pipeline.
Speakers
Fireside Chat:
Examining how Ireland can continue to enhance the Mid-West’s attractiveness as a base for manufacturing
The mid-West region has become a hub for critical industries including MedTech, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing. And these hubs are generating significant employment. In 2022 FDI companies employed over 26,000 people in the Mid-West region, an increase of 3.6 percent on the previous year. This fireside chat will explore how can we continue to enhance the Mid-West's attractiveness as a base for manufacturing, particularly in relation to digital technologies and the key attractions in the Mid-West region for businesses looking to invest and expand.
FIRESIDE CHAT
Examining Ireland’s Economic Landscape Following Budget 2024
US multinationals (MNCs) make a remarkable contribution to public finances in Ireland. In 2022 US companies employed 209,000 people directly and a further 167,000 people indirectly and spent €31 billion on payroll, goods and services and capital expenditure in the Irish economy.
Given the vital role of US MNCs in supporting our economy and our local communities, AmCham believes that it is crucial that Government continues to focus on capacity building and infrastructure delivery, energy certainty, and sustainability, excellence in research, excellence in talent and digital transformation in order to support the continued investment and expansion of US MNCs in Ireland.
This panel will focus on the key plans outlined in Budget 2024 and how they relate to business. It will reflect on the key asks recommendations outlined in AmCham’s 2024 Budget submission, ‘Building and Impactful Ireland: For 2050 and Beyond’ and how these have been reflected in the Budget.
Speakers
PANEL TWO
Sustainability and Regional Development
There is significant opportunity in the areas of sustainability and regional development for the Mid-West region.
In 2022, 52 percent of all regional investment went to regional locations and there were 26,000 people employed by MNCs in the Mid-West region alone.
According to am AmCham Quarterly FDI Insights Survey, 42 percent of respondents said they aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 with this number rising to 64 percent by 2040.
This discussion will focus on the importance of investing in critical infrastructure, including housing, sustainable energy solutions, and transport and connectivity to further develop the region for business and the Mid-West region’s potential to contribute to tackling the challenges posed in areas such as climate action and energy.
SPEAKERS