Southern
Conference and Dinner
Panel
Discussions
PANEL ONE
Innovation and Talent in the Southern Region
This panel discussion will focus on the Southern region as a hub for innovation and talent.
According to a recent AmCham Quarterly FDI Insights survey, Skills shortage was ranked as the second most important challenge, after housing, for Ireland to overcome for companies to invest and expand here. According to the survey, 69 percent of respondents said their organisation is currently experiencing a skills gap in Ireland. 31 percent of respondents said their biggest skills gap is in engineering, 24 percent of respondents said digital and data, while 16 percent said machine learning and AI.
However, AmCham and our members recognise that establishing Ireland and the Southern Region as a hub for innovation and research will help to attract top talent to the region. In the most recent AmCham Quarterly FDI Insights survey, 52 percent of members are currently undertaking one or more research project in Ireland and 76 percent of members said that they would like to see more collaboration between industry and 3rd level institutions to support research and innovation and to future proof our talent pipeline.
SPEAKERS
FIRESIDE CHAT
Examining Ireland’s Economic Landscape as we Approach Budget 2024
US multinationals (MNCs) make a remarkable contribution to public finances in Ireland. In 2022 US companies employed 209,000 people directly and a further 167,000 people indirectly and spent €31 billion on payroll, goods and services and capital expenditure in the Irish economy.
Given the vital role of US MNCs in supporting our economy and our local communities, AmCham believes that it is crucial that Government continues to focus on capacity building and infrastructure delivery, energy certainty, and sustainability, excellence in research, excellence in talent and digital transformation in order to support the continued investment and expansion of US MNCs in Ireland.
This discussion will focus on the key asks of US MNCs in the Southern Region and beyond in Budget 2024 and on the recommendations outlined in AmCham’s 2024 Budget submission, ‘Building and Impactful Ireland: For 2050 and Beyond.’
SPEAKERS
PANEL TWO
Sustainability and Regional Development
There is significant opportunity in the areas of sustainability and regional development for the Southern region.
In 2022, 52 percent of all regional investment went to regional locations and there were 67,748 people employed by MNCs across the South-West and South East region.
According to am AmCham Quarterly FDI Insights Survey, 42 percent of respondents said they aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 with this number rising to 64 percent by 2040.
This discussion will focus on the importance of investing in critical infrastructure, including housing, sustainable energy solutions, and transport and connectivity to further develop the region for business and the Southern region’s potential to contribute to tackling the challenges posed in areas such as climate action and energy.
SPEAKERS
