'Ireland Inc' hits the road

THIS WEEK:POLITICIANS and industry heads alike will be on the road this week, promoting the good news of "Ireland Inc" ahead of St Patrick's Day.

The week kicks off with the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) summit in Silicon Valley, which is expected to attract record-breaking levels of attendance. Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton will be in attendance, as will more than 100 Irish companies and a number of delegations from towns around the country. Having lost out to close neighbour Dundalk for Paypal's 1,000 new jobs, for example, a team representing Drogheda Chamber of Commerce will be hoping to attract some new investment to the town.

Meanwhile in Boston and New York, the Irish Funds Industry Association will be accompanied by IFSC Ireland chairman and former taoiseach John Bruton on a funds roadshow. Last year, the Irish industry bucked the trend by continuing to report an increase in fund values, but now faces challenges such as the US Fatca, or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

The following Monday, the New York Stock Exchange will host "Ireland Day", a global summit at which Taoiseach Enda Kenny will present, and the Green IFSC will launch, a new initiative in green asset management.