McCormack showcases Offaly to Japanese Ambassador
Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly Tony McCormack has said Offaly has the skills, location and industrial base to compete for the next generation of international investment after hosting the Japanese Ambassador to Ireland, Ambassador Manabu Miyagawa, on a visit to the county.
Ambassador Miyagawa, accompanied by his wife Noriko, visited Tullamore D.E.W. and Condron Concrete during his visit to Offaly.
Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Cllr Declan Harvey and Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Frank Moran joined Deputy McCormack in welcoming the Ambassador and showcasing Offaly and the opportunities the county has to offer.
During the visit, Ambassador Miyagawa also briefly met with Offaly County Council Chief Executive Eoin Ryan and Director of Services Paul McLoughlin.
The Ambassador was particularly impressed by what he saw during his visit and praised Offaly’s strong industrial spirit, the quality of the businesses operating in the county and the ambition evident locally.
Deputy McCormack said the visit was an important opportunity to put Offaly directly on the radar for future Japanese investment.
“Japan already has a very significant economic relationship with Ireland and I want to make sure that Offaly is part of the next chapter of that relationship.
“I was delighted with the Ambassador’s reaction to what he saw. There is sometimes a tendency to underestimate just how much industry, innovation and enterprise we have here in Offaly. When you bring someone into the county and show them first-hand, it makes a very strong impression.
“At Tullamore D.E.W. we showcased a world-renowned brand operating from Offaly, while Condron Concrete demonstrated the strength, expertise and ambition of our indigenous manufacturing sector.
“My message to Ambassador Miyagawa was simple: if a Japanese company is looking at Ireland as a location for investment, Offaly should be on that list.
“We have a highly skilled and educated workforce, excellent facilities and a central location in the heart of Ireland. We are ideally positioned with excellent access across the country and we offer the quality of life that companies and their employees are looking for.
“Japanese companies have already made a major contribution to the Irish economy across a range of sectors. There is no reason why Offaly cannot compete for a greater share of that investment in the years ahead.
“This is why building relationships matters. Investment does not simply arrive at our door. We have to go out, make the case for Offaly and ensure that the people making investment decisions know what our county has to offer.”
Deputy McCormack thanked Cathaoirleach Cllr Declan Harvey and Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Frank Moran for joining the visit and helping to present a strong and united message on behalf of the county.
“We were all delivering the same message – Offaly is ambitious, Offaly is well positioned and Offaly is open for business.
“I was extremely proud to welcome Ambassador Miyagawa and Noriko to Offaly. The fact that the Ambassador came away so impressed with the industrial spirit he saw here is a great endorsement of our county.
“I hope this visit is the beginning of an even stronger relationship and one that can ultimately translate into new opportunities, investment and jobs for Offaly.”