Ibec US programme: update and policy insight
Colleagues
I wanted to update you on the outcome and impact of Ibec's US programme last week which as you are already aware encompassed a number of stakeholder meetings in Washington along with an Ibec board meeting and a major Summit in New York.
Significantly, the Ibec board met for the first time outside Ireland in New York last Wednesday, an important statement around the purpose of the Ibec effort to demonstrate internationally the substance that underpins the Irish business model. Following this, we had strong engagement from Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management and Budget over dinner and while he was direct in his views around competing with Ireland on corporation tax, there was a good rapport and consensus on a desire to ensure the continuation of positive US Irish relations.
As insiders within the Trump advisory cadre, the US speakers at the Summit provided real insight into the thinking across a range of policy areas and a strong understanding of the deliverables that are politically possible. The Ibec team and board members put a great effort into positioning Irish business positively, emphasising the balance of trade between our two countries and of course the substance of the Irish business model. I will follow up later this week with a more detailed report on the US positioning on key policy areas which you can then share with members. I will also send an email this Friday updating all members on the initiative.
The weather was against us for the early part of the trip and unfortunately restricted some of the Washington programme, but the quality of the meetings and of the joint Business Summit with the Ireland-US Council was excellent. While it is certain that some US policies will be challenging for business in Ireland; for Ibec, new connections were formed and current relationships strengthened which will inevitably provide a vital foundation for our international reputation campaign. We will continue to build on during the year ahead.
Danny
Friday, 24 March 2017