Contact:
Anne Lupardus, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Will Meet With President of Ireland and Lord Mayor of Dublin
Governor Jim Doyle today began an economic development mission to Ireland to strengthen economic and governmental ties. The Governor, along with a delegation of Wisconsin business and government leaders, will be in Ireland from January 7-12, 2006.
Governor Doyle has previously led trade missions to China, Japan, Mexico, and the Eastern European countries of Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic to help Wisconsin companies compete globally and capture a greater share of worldwide markets.
“Wisconsin and Ireland are not only similar in size and industry, we share many basic values,” Governor Doyle said. “They have made education a top priority – from kindergarten through their university system – and their investments have been crucial not only in their economic turn-around, but in growing their high-technology sector. As we work to build a stronger relationship with Ireland and explore new markets for our products, we will also examine what lessons we can learn from Ireland that will help us grow our economy back home.”
Ireland is often referred to as the “Celtic Tiger,” which describes the speed and strength of its economic turnaround. In the mid-1980s, Ireland’s economy faced serious difficulties including escalating unemployment, substantial emigration, and an increasing national debt. Starting in 1987, Ireland executed a series of economic development programs, emphasizing the need for financial stabilization, tax reform, and industry development.
Since then, Ireland has cut its unemployment rate in half, doubled its gross domestic product (GDP), and worked to reverse the brain drain to other European Union (EU) countries. Ireland is now seen as a model for economic development for EU eastern candidate countries and others around the world.
During the trip Governor Doyle will meet with a number of state officials including Republic of Ireland President, Mary McAleese, and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Catherine Byrne, along with various business leaders to strengthen ties to the country, learn more about their strategies for economic success, and explore new opportunities for Wisconsin’s exports.
Ireland represents the state’s 25th largest trading partner. Since 1988, Wisconsin’s exports to Ireland grew by more than 400 percent, and nearly 20 percent since Governor Doyle took office.
The trip is being organized by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and is being paid for by the Milwaukee Development Corporation, a 501c3 and an affiliate of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
