Drive to bring jobs to Leitrim

A major diplomatic drive to attract more visitors and new jobs to the country’s smallest county was launched today.

Over a dozen foreign diplomats and ambassadors have been invited to a three-day promotional visit to Co Leitrim.

The programme, to be held later this month, aims to put Leitrim on the map and boost foreign investment in Ireland’s least populated county.

It follows the 'Leitrim… A New Life' initiative, which pledged a €33,000 headstart incentive package to a business willing to set up a new premises or relocate to the west county.

The scheme, sponsored by Leitrim County Council and the Leitrim County Development Board, was launched at a major conference and Expo in Dublin in July which attracted over 250 visitors and a number of diplomatic representatives including China and eastern Europe.

A winner of the prize has yet to be announced.

“The idea for the embassy briefing visit to Leitrim arose out of the Leitrim... A New Life Expo in Dublin where a number of ambassadors who attended expressed an interest in learning more about County Leitrim,” said county manager Jackie Maguire.

“The purpose of the visit is to highlight both the economic and tourist attributes of Co Leitrim on an international stage.”

The three-day diplomatic drive is hosted by the local bodies and will include visits to local industry, tourist attractions and the opportunity to meet local politicians and business people.

The diplomatic corps will travel from their embassies in Dublin, and will visit major industries in the county including international credit card company Bank of America, the medical device manufacturers Vistamed, specialist suppliers and exporters of wood products Merenda, and Masonite the door manufacturer and exporter.

Council chiefs will also host a welcome and reception and a briefing for the visiting diplomats.

“We are delighted to welcome ambassadors from over 12 countries to visit some of the leading companies which have located in Leitrim, experience the stunning landscape and visitor attractions on offer in our county, and to meet with a range of local public representatives and enterprise development agencies,” added Ms McGuire.

“This visit forms part of the overall project by Leitrim County Council and Leitrim County Development Board to show that the county is open for business.”