Ibec has warned in its general election manifesto of a challenging trading landscape for Irish exporters and of difficulties attracting new foreign investment in the coming years.
The employers group used the document to outline business priorities across a number of key pillars, including domestic competitiveness, quality of life, Ireland’s global positioning, and future workforce preparedness, ahead of the election, which is widely expected to take place this year.
Ibec identified complacency, particularly regarding future business growth, as a significant risk ahead of the vote.
With regard to exports and foreign investment, the group attributed increased challenges to the rise of state-driven competition for investment, intensifying geopolitical tensions and decreasing trade openness.
Ibec’s key recommendations include making significant strategic investments in areas currently hindering growth such as speeding up infrastructure delivery, investing in public services, enhancing lifelong learning rates, and reducing regulatory burdens.
“The upcoming general election will be one of …