Pat English, of sponsors Matheson; Patrick O'Shea, President, UCC; Mary Buckley, Executive Director, IDA Ireland and Mark Gantly, President, American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.
US-Ireland Business Conference; Southern Conference, sponsored by Matheson, held at University College, Cork on Thursday 26th September 2019, spo
Pic; Larry Cummins.
PR BEGINS- Ireland must resolve ‘infrastructure bottlenecks’ to remain competitive – American Chamber

The Government must urgently push forward with investment in infrastructure including housing, roads and broadband if the country is to maintain its status as a ‘go to’ destination for FDI after Brexit, according to the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, which hosted a Southern Conference in UCC, Cork today.

The conference focused on innovation, collaboration and opportunities for FDI in the Munster region. Cork has thrived as a centre of excellence for Biopharma, Medtech, and more recently, Cyber Security.
At the event, American Chamber asserted that in order to consolidate the Region’s position as a leader in this space and see it through to the next phase of growth, the Government must ensure that infrastructure is not only brought up to standard but is future proofed. It highlighted that that the upgrading of road infrastructure and the provision of rural broadband are of huge importance for the area.
At the conference, the American Chamber also highlighted the importance of Ireland’s competitiveness, particularly in light of the looming Brexit challenges, stating that the main concern for multi-nationals is now around how to attract and retain talented individuals from at home and abroad to work and live here.
While presenting many challenges, the conference also heard about how Brexit presents opportunities for FDI, as Ireland will become the only native English-speaking country left in the EU. It also has a good talent pool and a long and proven track record as a base for US companies to trade into EMEA and beyond.
END PR.