A major diplomatic drive to attract more visitors and new jobs to the country's smallest county was launched today.
Over a dozen foreign diplomats and ambassadors have been invited to a three-day promotional visit to Co Leitrim.
The programme, to be held later this month, aims to boost Leitrim's profile and attract foreign investment in Ireland's least populated county.
It follows the Leitrim... A New Life initiative, which pledged a €33,000 incentive package to a business willing to set up a new premises or relocate to the county.
The scheme, sponsored by Leitrim Co Co and the Leitrim County Development Board, was launched at a major conference and Expo in Dublin in July which attracted over 250 visitors and a number of diplomatic representatives. A winner of the prize has yet to be announced.
"The purpose of the visit is to highlight both the economic and tourist attributes of Co Leitrim on an international stage," county manager Jackie Maguire said.
"This visit forms part of the overall project by Leitrim County Council and Leitrim County Development Board to show that the county is open for business," she added.
The three-day diplomatic drive is hosted by the local bodies and will include visits to local industry, tourist attractions and the opportunity to meet local politicians and business people.
The diplomatic corps will travel from their embassies in Dublin, and will visit major industries in the county including international credit card company Bank of America ; the medical device manufacturers Vistamed; specialist suppliers and exporters of wood products Merenda; and Masonite the door manufacturer and exporter.