WRDC high-level delegation discusses education, planning and high-value job creation with Ireland counterparts to speed up progress of UAE's Western Region

Abu Dhabi, March 2nd , 2008: As part of its concerted efforts to develop the Western Region and its people, a high-level delegation from the Western Region Development Council (WRDC) conducted a four-day fact-finding visit to Ireland last week. The visit was aimed at learning about and gaining a better understanding of Ireland's outstanding economic progress.

The delegation's visit, led by H.E. Mohamed Hamed Al Mazrouei, WRDC Director General, comes within the context of WRDC initiatives to understand the development models of different regions across the globe - with Ireland representing an excellent example of what WRDC aims to achieve for the development of the Western Region.

Commenting on the successful visit, H.E. Mohamed Hamed Al Mazrouei said: "It was a great privilege for us to study Ireland's model of development. During the visit, we discussed a vast array of development aspects with key agencies in Ireland, who work with residents, business owners and developers across education, investment, tourism and other sectors. These deliberations gave us an excellent perspective to implement the vision of our higher leadership for the development of the Western Region - putting our people at the forefront. Through our discussions, we were able to learn from Ireland's experience throughout various stages of its development, which will be highly beneficial when mapping out our own growth strategy."

The visit included a series of discussions with high-ranking officials in Ireland, focusing on industrial, social and economic development in the country, which in recent times has been dubbed the 'Celtic Tiger'. The WRDC delegation discussed potential collaboration and future learning opportunities with representatives of International Development Ireland (IDI), Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. They also met with senior delegates from Athlone Institute of Technology and talked about the establishment of the Midlands Innovation and Research Centre that offers support to new and existing companies - providing resources and expertise.

While further talks with IDI shed light on the Irish Success Story, discussions with IDA and Enterprise Ireland centred on their specific development initiatives. The visiting delegation also held a joint meeting with the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Department of Community, Shannon Free Zone, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Westmeath County Council and Enterprise Board.

H.E. Al Mazrouei added: "Our discussions focused on strategic reviews and planning to stimulate development in the Western Region, as well as outlining an implementation plan that incorporates education, investment and entrepreneurial avenues for the people in the region - our main priority - as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. Ireland continues to attract global attention because it is seen as an ideal location in which to improve, innovate and initiate new ideas, processes and ways of working that can make development more dynamic and more effective."

IDI focuses on providing services to develop emerging markets, specialising in the design and management of industrial and economic development programmes, IDA Ireland is responsible for securing new investments in manufacturing and services. The core mission of Enterprise Ireland is to accelerate the development of Irish companies across global markets.

-Ends- 

Notes to Editor:
Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, the Western Regional Development Council has been established to shape the Western Region's future by placing the region and its people's interests at heart. One of WRDC's main goals is improving the lives of people in the Western Region. Its strategy focuses on the development of better education, healthcare and infrastructure in order to encourage economic growth.

The WRDC's toll-free number is 800-WRDC (800 9732). For further details on the work of the Council, please log onto www.wrdc.ae

Celtic Tiger is a name for the period of rapid economic growth in the Republic of Ireland that began in the 1990s and slowed in 2001, only to pick up pace again in 2003 and then have slowed down once again by 2006. During this time, Ireland experienced a boom in which it was transformed from one of Europe's poorer countries into one of its wealthiest (Source: Wikipedia).

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© Press Release 2008