What can we give back?

I read in the Irish News today that the First and Deputy First Minister have been invited to attend the Fortune 500 Business Forum in the United States. This will afford them the opportunity to seek more investment in the economy here. Several times a year our Ministers go to the US to seek investment. One question what are we giving back? It is after all cheaper to get goods produced in eastern Europe - with both production and wage costs lower - making up for the difference in logistics (Dell).

I recently spent several weeks on the Obama Campaign principally in Ohio. An exciting experience. Cleveland has or had an economy that was particularly dependent on the manufacturing industry which is now under significant threat. There are also areas of high deprivation and poverty in this city. Obama has said in several speeches that he needs to protect US jobs by removing the tax breaks on companies that send jobs overseas. How can Ireland remain in the good books?

One way to perhaps give something back, help our US cousins and put Ireland North and South in a good light for continued support and investment comes from the experience of the Celtic Tiger. The Tiger is envied throughout the world. Why not find a way to mix our calls for investment with a commitment to share our positive experiences, business know-how and government policines with areas like Cleveland in the US so that they and us in return can prosper.

If this proves successful then as the world faces global economic recession Ireland may have found a new export as well as creating significant good will to keep our economy on track.