Business

The Evolving Swiss Financial Services Sector

A new wave of financial institutions are transforming the field Previously notorious for offshore bank accounts, secret holdings and masked account holders, the Swiss financial services and banking sector has completely evolved, with transparency at the forefront. Switzerland now adheres to strict regulations, requiring institutions to disclose all assets held by American account holders. In…
A Digital Backbone

January 23, 2020 Switzerland as a nation is known as a trailblazer, having accomplished many firsts across a variety of sectors, including telecommunications. Switzerland is the world’s largest investor in telecommunications infrastructure per capita, thanks to the nation’s leading telecommunications provider, Swisscom. Within the competitive telecommunications market, Swisscom has managed to retain its market…
Engineering Innovative Technologies

Interview: Roland Fischer, CEO, Oerlikon Oerlikon creates new innovative solutions to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges. With their engineering technology, they can give products improved and more desirable functions. These applications are specially designed for growth sectors, and utilized across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, energy, tooling and additive manufacturing. Is global digitization…
Interview: Martin Sauter, CEO, Sauter Bachmann

Based in the Canton of Glarus lies Sauter Bachman, an indigenous family owned success story with nearly 100 years of history. The Swiss precision manufacturing company produces multifaceted high-quality gears, gearboxes and complex systems for customers in industry and aerospace. GE Aviation, Pratt Whitney and other USA clients rely on Sauter Bachman as a crucial…
Discover the Canton of Glarus

A hidden gem in Switzerland, Glarus offers Swiss benefits at a cost advantage One hour outside Zurich lies the Canton of Glarus, a picturesque, business friendly industrial region within the Greater Zurich Area. It is home to award winning tourism destinations and wonders such as the geologic UNESCO world heritage site of the Tectonic Arena…
Interview: Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich

January 23, 2020 Founded in Geneva in 1895, Firmenich is the world’s largest privately-owned company in the perfume and taste business. It has designed many of the world’s best-known perfumes and tastes. The ingredients created by Firmenich are utilized by four billion consumers daily around the world. Firmenich invests 10% of its USD 3.7 billion…
The Future of Work

January 23, 2020 A conversation with CEO of The Adecco Group, Alain Dehaze, who promises to continue to make the future work for everyone. Switzerland is home to a unique labor market that has gained a world renowned reputation for excellence, innovation, and continues to surprise with its qualified youth. How has Switzerland fostered such…
Closing the innovation gap

Viewpoint: Marco Huwiler, Country Managing Director, Accenture Switzerland When the world economy catches a cold, Switzerland sneezes. Following weak global growth, Switzerland is feeling the sniffles, with stagnant GDP and a collapse in profitability in recent years. But there is wisdom in the old saying “starve a fever, feed a cold”. Companies with the courage…
Dublin’s Silicon Docks

The nickname alludes to Silicon Valley, and was embraced to illustrate the concentration of European headquarters of high-tech companies Dublin’s docklands were historically a symbol of industrial decline, but today is home to many multinationals including: Google, Accenture, Microsoft, PayPal, eBay, Facebook, Intel, Huawei, Etsy, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Ireland’s tech sector consists of nine of the top ten US technology companies, eight of…
Irish Produce Conquers Global Markets

The Irish agri-food sector is diversifying its markets and pioneered the approach to sustainable food production Agri-food is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, employing over 8.4% of the working population, and when employment in marketing, processing and inputs are included, the agri-food sector accounts for nearly 10% of total employment. The sector largely contributes to the…
An Inside Look at Ireland’s Economic Growth

Ireland’s polished business ecosystem caters to foreign direct investment and nurtures innovation. The global footprint of Irish companies has never been greater Walking through the cobblestone streets of Dublin, the juxtaposition of modern buildings wedged between historic Georgian brick offices represents the tidal wave of change foreign direct investment has implemented across the nation. Growth…
The Midlands: Ireland’s Hidden Heartland

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is the newest Irish tourism brand, exposing the magic of the midlands region. For over a century, Ireland has been on the top of Americans’ travel destinations, but only recently has the midlands been given the recognition it deserves. Often, investment will follow tourism, and Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive of Longford County…
Discover Meath: The Birthplace of Ireland’s Ancient East

Meath County has a colorful history, stemming as the seat of the High King of Ireland, and as such has been colloquially dubbed “The Royal County.” It is home to the UNESCO designated World Heritage Site: Newgrange, an ancient burial site older than the Great Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. The County’s significance is also…
Cork: Ireland’s Second Largest Economic Driver

On track to be the fastest growing county over the next two decades Overlooking the colorful city with a winding river and emerald rolling hills surrounding the parameter, Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, was proud to showcase his county. Cork is the largest county in Ireland, and home to the second most…
Manufacturing: Ireland’s Second Largest Employer

With the arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, smart factories and innovative supply chain integration is transforming the manufacturing sector Manufacturing accounts for over 30% of GDP, 122 billion euro in exports, and employs 250,000 people across 4,000 businesses in Ireland. “Manufacturing is not the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they think…
Project Ireland 2040

The Government’s National Planning Framework and National Development Plan Project Ireland 2040 entails a diverse range of investments being made by the State. This governmental 116 billion euro long-term overarching infrastructure strategy aims to counterbalance the continued growth of Dublin with that of other regions. It seeks to develop cities and regional towns as alternatives…
Dublin: A Melting Pot

Ireland’s first Japanese restaurant celebrates Dublin’s vibrant demographics Derek and Graham Ryan, Group Founder and Director of award-winning, Yamamori Group restaurants and bars, have firsthand witnessed the evolution of Dublin becoming a global melting pot. With nearly 25 years since the original restaurant’s opening, the Group now delivers unique culinary adventures across three thriving restaurants…
Interview: Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive, Sligo County Council

Sligo Witnessing Unprecedented Investment Ireland’s new hub for innovation? Sligo is not only a stunning location for tourism, but also a highly practical destination for business, with attractive incentives, high levels of infrastructure, and the ambition to become a ‘smart city.’ What is Sligo’s track record for attracting multinationals? Sligo has an established track record of…
Interview: Seamus Neely, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council

Donegal’s FinTech Hub Develops Letterkenny designated Regional Growth Center in the National Planning Framework How do you assess Donegal’s economy? Donegal’s economy is performing strongly, and employment is on the rise. The county has a thriving fin-tech hub, and a significant FDI track record. 75% of investors are continuously growing their operations and Donegal’s indigenous…
Ireland’s Regions Seek Investment

Interview: John Mulholland Chief Executive Laois County Council What is your economic forecast for County Laois? County Laois has benefited from nearly 700 million euro in public national infrastructure projects over the past two decades. These projects connected Laois’ central location to Ireland’s west and east coasts. The county benefitted from its strategic location in…
Interview: Dr. Pat Gallagher, Chief Executive, Westmeath County Council

Westmeath: In the Heart of Ireland How do you assess Westmeath’s economy? Westmeath’s two biggest towns, Athlone and Mullingar, have their own distinct economies that have developed backed by the regions central location, developed motorway network, excellent utilities, and highly educated workforce. Mullingar is one hour from Dublin by car, train or bus and has…
Interview: Joan Martin, Chief Executive, Louth County Council

Louth County: The Land of Legends Although Louth may be Ireland’s smallest county, it has plenty to offer. It is the second most densely populated county in the nation, outside of Dublin. The majority of Louth’s population resides in its two largest towns of Drogheda and Dundalk. Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council…
Interview: Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council

Kerry: A Stunning Place to Work Quality of life, the availability of a skilled workforce, ease of access, fiber-based broadband and government incentives combine to provide a positive business environment How are Ireland’s rural regions developing? There currently is a strong national focus on the development of Ireland’s regions and their improved interconnectivity. Kerry increasingly…
Interview: Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive, South Dublin County Council

How is SDCC preparing to accommodate future FDI? SDCC is home to Grange Castle Business Park, the largest wholly owned local authority FDI site in Ireland. It has become the location of choice for world-class multinationals such as Pfizer, Microsoft, Amazon and Google. It is a world class facility with investments of over 5 billion…