Ireland should be proud of the role it has played during the pandemic, supplying vital healthcare products to the rest of the world via the large number of pharmaceutical and medical technology companies operating here, according to 80 per cent of respondents to a survey.
The consumer survey, conducted recently by iReach on behalf of the American Chamber of Commerce, also found that while 76 per cent of respondents believe tax is a strong factor in US businesses deciding to land in Ireland, 63 per cent believe the quality of the Irish workforce is the number one reason that attracts US companies to invest in Ireland.
It also found that 94 per cent believe US companies’ contribution to the Irish economy will be very important to Ireland’s economic recovery from the pandemic.
Difficulties
A majority of respondents (63 per cent ) underestimated the number of jobs created by US companies in Ireland, believing it to be fewer than 100,000, not 180,000 – which, according to the American Chamber, is the real number.
Gareth Lambe, president of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland commented:" Despite the difficulties of the pandemic in 2020, IDA Ireland won 246 new investments and 20,123 new jobs in 2020 and 52 per cent of these projects went to the regions – a huge achievement under the circumstances. Also 94 per cent of American Chamber members surveyed said their corporate headquarters had a positive view of Ireland as a place for future investment, and all of this points to a positive future for US FDI in Ireland."
