Hi-tech sector ‘key to recovery’

IRELAND must work harder to expand its indigenous hi-tech sector, in order to drive economic recovery, former Intel boss Craig Barrett said yesterday.

Speaking at the launch, in Dublin, of the third annual series of development meetings between Silicon Valley investors and Irish technology start-ups, Mr Barrett – who brought Intel to Ireland – said the country cannot rely on its former uniqueness of an attractive corporate tax regime and a well-educated workforce, alone, to move the economy forward by attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

“Ireland needs to focus on enlarging its indigenous hi-tech sector to drive economic recovery.