As seen in the July/August Issue of Buffalo Magazine:
View From the Second Floor:
MAYOR ANTHONY M. MASIELLO
Green rolling hills dotted by grazing sheep. Quaint rural villages inhabited by friendly, hospitable residents. Dramatic seascapes where the ocean roars against the cliffs of the mainland. All are images of Ireland well familiar to Americans who have visited the Emerald Isle. But today a very different Ireland exists that many Americans aren't aware of -- it's a country of burgeoning economic vitality and enormous investment potential.Similarly, most Americans have an impression of Northern Ireland that consists of images of sectarian violence and political discontent. Yet despite a recent setback in Northern Ireland's Good Friday peace accord, the country is on pace to position itself as one of Europe's more desirable business development locales.
What does this have to do with Buffalo and why would I dedicate a column to these countries? The reason is very simple: our need to identify attractive national and international markets for joint economic development activities that benefit our city's growing small- and medium-sized businesses.
Through the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation, we have initiated an economic development partnership with the Midlands Region of the Republic of Ireland, the Lower Bann Region of Northern Ireland and the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario.
All four regions serve as ideal gateways to their respective countries (to Western Europe via the European Union and Canada and Mexico via NAFTA). Known as the Atlantic Corridor, the initiative will take advantage of the strengths of the partners respective communities to provide international economic development opportunities for business firms that have not been able to grow their businesses outside of their home base.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 1998 with our Irish partners, the City of Buffalo has worked diligently to establish the foundation for a successful and enduring collaboration.
The point is to broaden the marketplace for our small- and medium-sized businesses that have lacked the contacts and wherewithal to compete internationally.
Why Ireland? With the peace process taking root in Northern Ireland (71% of the electorate voted for the implementation of Good Friday Peace Accord) and the Republic's phenomenally successful economy (the fastest growing economy in Western Europe over the past ten years) the choice was easy.
Ireland is second only to the U.S. in the export of computer software, its unemployment rate has plummeted from 16% in the 1980's to under 6% through the first quarter of 1999, one-third of all PC's in Europe are manufactured in Ireland and over 470 American businesses have invested over $10 billion in the
country's growing industries, particularly high-tech and pharmaceutical firms. The "Celtic Tiger," as Ireland has become known, is truly roaring.
In an effort to solidify the Atlantic Corridor, I have just completed a trade mission to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I was pleased to include representatives of our local health care community (Kaleida Health Systems),
academic community (University of Buffalo and Canisius College), financial institutions (M&T Bank), cultural community (Albright-Knox Art Gallery), and Atlantic Corridor staff.
Our reception in both countries was incredible and our hosts made it clear that they are committed to seeing the Atlantic Corridor succeed. And why shouldn't it, we share so many common issues: a well-educated and productive workforce; growing small- and medium-sized businesses; a diversified health care network; developing high tech firms; superb institutions of higher learning and ideal geographic positions with access to significant international markets.
As we solidify our relationship and garner public and private support, there can be no goal we cannot achieve.
The continuing success of the Republic of Ireland's economy can serve as an example as to how the Atlantic Corridor can help the City of Buffalo achieve many of our common goals.
Many opportunities lie before us. No one can argue that our city has been hurt by a changing economy, but we still possess qualities that can help us regain a firm economic foothold in our region and abroad.
The Atlantic Corridor is the ideal vehicle to help our community achieve economic and academic viability nationally and internationally. Our partners in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Ontario are prepared to work together for future success. So are we.
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