A REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL TRENDS IN Industry SECTORS FOR THE WESTERN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, IRELAND
WDC_TRENDS
In 2003, Whitaker Institute undertook this research project on behalf
of the Western Development Commission, in order to inform its strategic
deliberations.
Scope of the project
The research reviews recent publicly available literature on two
issues: (i) recent trends in foreign direct investments (FDI) and the
locational policies of multinational corporations (MNCs) and (ii) the
dynamics and international trends in the main industry sectors in the
region, above all in developments arising from changes in markets,
manufacturing practices and the introduction of new technologies.
Project Leader:
Dr
Paulina Ramirez
Focus of the Project:
The research deals with two main issues. First, it reports on recent
trends in foreign direct investments (FDI) and the locational policies
of multinational corporations (MNCs). Second, the research centres on
the dynamics and international trends in the main industry sectors in
the region, above all in developments arising from changes in markets,
manufacturing practices and the introduction of new technologies. The
specific industries reviewed are Food, ICT and healthcare which
includes pharmaceutical and medical technologies.
About the Western Development Commission (WDC)
The Western Development Commission is a statutory body promoting
economic and social development in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim,
Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare.
It engages in three principal activities:
Ensuring that economic and social policy effectively meets the development needs of the Western Region
Fostering and promoting regional development initiatives
Managing the Western Investment Fund, which provides risk capital by
way of equity and loans on a commercial basis to projects and businesses