Lenihan to promote Ireland's reputation in foreign capitals

SEARCH FOR INVESTORS:MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan is to visit Paris, Milan, Frankfurt and London over the coming weeks to outline Government economic policy to potential investors.

A Department of Finance spokesman said the visits would probably take place over the next two or three weeks.

It was likely the Minister would visit Milan and Frankfurt on the same trip and follow this with a separate visit combining Paris and London, spending a day in each of the four cities.

Comparing the tour to “an investor road show” as carried out by private companies, the spokesman said it was the “best way to combat misinformation” and there was a good deal of that at the moment in international circles.

Mr Lenihan will be accompanied by officials from the National Treasury Management Agency.

A previous visit to London on St Patrick’s Day had been “a real success”.

The target audience would be investors likely to buy Irish Government bonds.

In his Budget speech, Mr Lenihan said: “As a small open economy, our reputation abroad matters in terms of our ability to attract foreign investment.”

He added: “I plan to visit financial capitals around Europe over the coming weeks along with representatives from the NTMA. These visits will give me the opportunity to communicate more effectively with foreign investors about our plan for renewal.”