Although attracting new jobs remains important, the huge drop in the unemployment figures has led all the development agencies to change their strategies in Munster, as in the rest of Ireland.

The emphasis now is on what IDA chairman John Dunne describes as "sustainable, high-value development in a world-class arena".

There is also a recognition that Dublin had taken the lion's share, and there is a big push on to move more jobs to the regions.

Although Munster is not in the BMW region, there are still geographical areas that are suffering, and there is an overall imperative to improve job quality, so the province should benefit from these new strategies.

Waterford, for example, is to be one of three IDA pilot economic centres, along with Athlone and Sligo. Between 10 and 15 IDA staff are in the process of moving to Waterford to stimulate its development as a magnet of growth.

The new unit will concentrate on ICT (information and communications technologies), engineering and consumer products. ICT is a constant theme throughout Munster.

Frank O'Donoghue, CEO, Waterford Chamber of Commerce, says that there are exciting new companies setting up in the Waterford area such as biotechnology specialist Genzyme and Nypro, the injection moulding company.

He also welcomes a new technology park being built by the IDA.

And there is to be an application to the government for a Strategic Development Zone at Belview, so generally the infrastructure is improving.

Waterford is an important port, as it is nearest to the European continent, and he says that the fact that there are now several shipping lines operating is a source of satisfaction for the Chamber. He warns, though, of the necessity for developing Waterford Airport.

"It's an important piece of infrastructure because Waterford is a gateway city in the national plan." Michael McGuire, who runs Enterprise Ireland South-East says that the area has had a slow take-up from the IT industry, particularly the internationally traded areas of finance and software.

"We are now focusing on trying to get these jobs," he said.

"Our traditional base is in areas such as engineering and food, with a disproportionate reliance on manufacturing," he explained. "We need to have our toe in the high-tech service industry. Following the recent Enterprise Ireland conference on getting jobs out into the regions, we are in contact with 20 companies."

The strategy is three-fold: get new start-ups, get companies to expand from Dublin and develop the existing engineering and food client base.

In the south-east and south-west, as nationally, the agency is seeking to improve the competitiveness of its client companies and increase their exports.

The recently published Enterprise Ireland Annual Report for 2000 showed that the south-west region was its best performer as regards permanent full-time jobs in Irish-owned companies supported by it, with a net gain of 2,268 jobs, bringing the total to 22,089.

Brian Quinlan, who manages this area, attributes the strong performance primarily to the take-off of IT.

"We have always had a lot of IT in the Cork area, and now Kerry is taking off, with the growth of Fexco in Killorglin, the opening up of the KTI centre in Killarney, and the running of the Graduate Enterprise Programme," said Mr Quinlan. Engineering and food have also held up."

That said, Mr Quinlan would like to see developments in other areas such as biotechnology, and a venture capital activity started up in the area.

"We are the second most attractive region in Ireland for inward investment, as evidenced by the recent IDA annual report," said Michael Geary, CEO Cork Chamber of Commerce.

"This trend is set to continue, based on enquiries." He comments that apart from Ispat, there have been no major redundancies or closures, and with the increase in the number of IT graduates in the area, prospects for the software industry look good.

Shannon Development is also changing its strategies, as it has achieved its job creation targets and become financially self-sufficient. "Our goal now is to work with our key partners to make the Shannon Region a place where people want to live and work," states Kevin Thompstone, Shannon Development's acting chief executive.

"Our challenge therefore is economic growth, but spreading growth to all areas of our region." The new approach is multi-sectoral with an overall view of development potential, including new sectors like health, sports and leisure.

The agency is also setting up a series of 'technology nodes' in key locations.

The linking mechanisms of these nodes comprise a physical development, Information Society activity, an environment for venture creation primarily by indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses, and provision of venture funding and investment.

David O'Mahony, President of the Limerick Chamber of Commerce, reinforces the general optimism though he tinges it with caution.

"We are concerned by the general slowdown in the Irish economy, but we figure that there is enough momentum there to withstand the bigger blips on the international front," he said .

He notes that there is a growing tendency for a cap on jobs in industry and manufacturing, but says that it is still difficult to find people to fill jobs in the retail and service sector.

He notices a slight slowdown in the building and infrastructural end, but again comments that this sector is still strong.

He points to the good quality of life in the area, which he says is more important now for attracting jobs.

He welcomes the opening of the new sports arena at the University of Limerick as another asset.