Fourth Global Irish Economic Forum to focus on entrepreneurship and scaling up companies
Focusing on entrepreneurship and supporting businesses in scaling up and creating jobs, the fourth Global Irish Economic Forum is to take place in Dublin from 19 to 21 November.
The forum, which is being organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will bring together more than 300 Irish and Irish-connected figures from nearly 40 countries around the world.
Announcing the event, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan said it will be taking place in a different context from its predecessors. “This is the first Global Irish Economic Forum since Ireland successfully exited its bailout programme and our focus on this occasion is firmly on sustaining and strengthening our robust economic growth, complementing the range of Government initiatives in place to support entrepreneurs and assist businesses to set up and to scale up,” he said.
“Building on new policy initiatives by the Government, this forum will target specific areas of strategic interest including financial services, international education and research and innovation to ensure that we are capitalising on the opportunities that exist for Ireland in these growing spheres.
“The forum is also focused on fostering entrepreneurship and supporting existing businesses to scale up, grow their exports and create jobs at home.”
The Minister said many members of the Global Irish Network can play a role in developing export opportunities for Irish companies in overseas markets.
He said that working in close collaboration with State agencies, and following on from the Start-Up Gathering in October, members of the network will provide mentoring and support to entrepreneurs seeking to build and develop new businesses.
“A separate session on scaling businesses will use the international expertise and experience of the participants for the benefit of companies who aspire to be global brands,” he said.
Minister Flanagan added that the event will also provide an opportunity to showcase some of the successful initiatives from previous forums, including The Gathering, ConnectIreland, Irish Design2015, Uversity and the Global Irish Contacts Programme.
“It also provides an opportunity to bring new voices into the forum – this year we have invited a number of high profile female business leaders to participate in the forum.”
In addition, there will be regional forum meetings in Derry, Galway, Limerick and Laois. “These meetings will focus on sectors and themes most relevant to these areas and will spread the opportunity for engagement with members of the Global Irish Network beyond Dublin,” said Minister Flanagan.
