New campaign aims to bring 40 additional FDI companies to Galway and the West over the next 5 years
A new campaign aimed at attracting additional companies and investment to Galway and the west region has been launched. Why Galway is an initiative from Galway Chamber, which will seek to bring 40 foreign direct investment companies to the area over the next five years, generating approximately 3,000 additional jobs.
The new campaign which will also look to promote the Galway and the west as a location for domestic enterprises and entrepreneurs. It is seeking to grow the total number of active enterprises in Galway city and county to 16,500 by 2026, supporting 80,000 people.
The campaign will highlight the many advantages to enterprises from both home and abroad who choose to locate in Galway or the west. It will emphasise the appeal of the area professionally, culturally and educationally.
The thriving enterprise eco-system in Galway will also be accentuated, along with the vital space options in the city and county available through more than 20 development hubs. Attention will also be brought to the flourishing med-tech and ICT sectors active in Galway, as well as the benefits of investing, working, living and studying in the west of Ireland.
As well as the Irish market, Why Galway will seek to connect with targeted audiences in China and Asia, the US, Britain and across Europe.
16 FDI companies have either been announced or expanded their operations in Galway in the last 3 years, creating a total of 1,225 new jobs during that period. Examples of these companies include Genesys, HID, Diligent, Rent The Runway, The Knot Worldwide, HPE, Globalization, Valeo, Fidelity, Triggerfish and A-Lign.
There were 14,402 active enterprises in Galway in 2018, supporting a total of 71,198 employees and self employed individuals, according to the most recent figures available from the Central Statistics Office.
The campaign is supported by Galway Chamber, Galway City Council and over 50 different stakeholder groups or organisations.
The campaign will:
- Make Why Galway a key focus for all future Galway Chamber trade missions and foreign engagements.
- Promote the campaign messaging and resources as a focal point for all job creating agencies for their activity relating to Galway and the western region.
- Support NUI Galway and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in their outreach to non-domestic students and help to co-ordinate their engagement with enterprise incubation prospects.
- Reinforce the work of Galway Technology Centre, Portershed and others as they build relationships with non local enterprises and entrepreneurs.
- Launch a dedicated, one stop shop website resource, www.whygalway.com which will provide information on investing, working, living and studying in Galway.
- Undertake targeted digital marketing and advertising activity in selected markets and locations.
The campaign tagline will be “Galway – Western Edge, European Centre”. Why Galway has been developed arising from a successful foreign trade missions to China and other locations in 2017 which highlighted the benefits of a centralised, collaborative approach in promoting Galway and the west region.
Speaking about the campaign, Kenny Deery, CEO of Galway Chamber, said: “In recent years Galway has become a hotbed of entrepreneurship and international business. We have witnessed the blossoming of the medtech and ICT sectors, with many enterprises recognising the appeal of Galway as a location. Now we want to ensure that growth continues and that is why we have launched Why Galway.
“The campaign aims to bring together all the many virtues of Galway and the west as an area to live and work. We are confident that the many benefits as a location provided by Galway and the entire region are striking a chord both internationally and domestically. Our research shows that we have a lot to offer in terms of enhanced work/ life balance, access to accommodation and education, access to business space, connectivity and from a cultural perspective. Geographically we may be on the edge of Europe but the growth of the many enterprises who call Galway and the west home has shown we have never been more connected to Europe and the rest of the world.
“It is these advantages that are repeatedly brought up by those who are interested in Galway or the west of Ireland as a location. That is why we are confident that the targets we have set for Why Galway are more than achievable. Over the course of the next five years we fully expect to see as many as 40 new FDI companies based in Galway and the total number of active enterprises rise to 16,500, creating additional investment and employment opportunities throughout the county and all across the west,” Kenny Deery concluded.
Further information on the campaign is available on www.whygalway.com
CAPTION:
At the launch of the Why Galway campaign in the Claddagh, Galway were (left to right): Tara Dalrymple, HR Operations Manager & Employee Engagement with Genesys Galway who is a native of Surrey, UK, and Niamh Costello, CEO of CREW Enterprise.
