IDA: New office blocks are key to attracting FDI

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – The sight of construction cranes on Galway’s skyline is a major factor in attracting Foreign Direct Investment, IDA Ireland has said, as office space for thousands of workers is created over the next two years.

However, while ‘Grade A’ office space is essential to attract top employers to Galway, there needs to be improvements in city centre access, the bus network and better cycling and walking infrastructure.

IDA Ireland’s Acting Regional Business Development Manager for the West Region, Ricky Conneely, said that Galway and the West region continued to perform strongly in 2019 in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“Despite growing international competition for FDI, we feel that Galway is well positioned to compete for FDI. However, we must not be complacent and need to continue to work collectively to ensure we have the strongest possible value proposition to compete for mobile FDI with locations throughout Europe and further afield.

“The more competitive Galway’s FDI offering is the better the chance of attracting further investment; we need to have continued investment in critical infrastructure highlighted in the Galway transport strategy. This includes improved city centre access alongside an improved bus system and better cycling and walking infrastructure,” said Mr Conneely.

He explained that Galway’s reputation as the location of choice for global names grew in 2019 with the arrival of companies like The Knot Worldwide, Rent the Runway and expansions announced by established companies Boston Scientific, Valeo, Xperi Corporation and EML Payments.
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