Ireland to have second-highest growth in EU wealth by 2010

IRELAND will have the second-highest growth in wealth in the EU by 2010, with major growth coming from the country’s poorest region as it catches up with the wealthier south and east.

According to a report on Europe's economic future, Ireland will see GDP growth of 9% in the 10 years from 2000 to 2010, second only to Sweden with a forecasted growth of 15%.

The report, to be released in the next few days, says a major contributor to this will be the performance by the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) region, where GDP will grow by a massive 25%.