Kilkenny bids for Far East investment

KILKENNY is bidding to attract investment from the Far East as it promotes itself as a place to do business.

The Kilkenny local authorities have joined forces to promote the city, claiming that average business overheads are at least 15% less than Dublin.

The city also became the first in Ireland to launch a micro site in Chinese as part of a bid to attract investment from the Far East.

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan officially launched the website for the Invest Kilkenny initiative yesterday.

Promoters are saying that the opening of the M9 motorway means Kilkenny is just 70 minutes from Dublin Airport, and 30 minutes from Waterford.

A business support unit has been established to support the initiative and a website www.investkilkenny.ie launched, which includes a property finder and details of local business success stories.

Mr Hogan said it is important that the message goes out around the world that Ireland and Kilkenny, are very much open for business.

“Despite the recent economic troubles Ireland and Kilkenny are very attractive options for foreign investors and launching this website in Chinese will assist greatly in promoting the area,” said the minister. “Relations with China and Ireland are growing all the time and the investment potential is huge,” he said.

Key sectors of focus for the medium term are international services and financial services.

He said the development of the 55-hectare IDA Belview lands in south Kilkenny for large-scale utility intensive industry will ultimately benefit Kilkenny as well as neighbouring Waterford city and the wider region.

Kilkenny city and county manager Joe Crockett said: “Kilkenny is an inspirational place, ideal for headquarters and back office development with specific advantages for IT and financial services companies.”

He said Kilkenny is a cost-competitive location which has average business overheads of at least 15% less than Dublin.

Global businesses which are headquartered in Kilkenny include Glanbia, Taxback.com and Statestreet.