A Global Irish Economic Forum to help with recovery – what about a Welsh one?

In Dublin Castle this weekend there is a large gathering of the Irish Diaspora, but this is not for a trip down memory lane or to enjoy the craic of the Irish capital, the ex pats are in Dublin for the second Global Irish Economic Forum hosted by the Irish Government.

It’s aim is looking at ways in which the Irish Diaspora, or those with an connection to Ireland can contribute to Ireland’s economic recovery by exploring new ideas for generating wealth, as well as securing foreign investment and job creation.

The Forum was set up in 2009 by the Irish Foreign Ministry in the middle of the economic storm Ireland found itself in after the global recession and banking collapse and the achievements while not spectacular have borne significant fruit in terms of inwards investment and Irish exports.

Initiatives such as increased its investment in Silicon Valley. Since the holding of the first Global Irish Economic Forum in Farmleigh in 2009, funding of $502,648 has been granted to Irish Technology Leadership Group by the Department of Foreign Affairs, towards the establishment of a secretariat and to develop and expand the organisation‟s activities.

There are of course significant differences between the Welsh and Irish Governments, their status, willingness to act and what they are able to do in terms of economic development of course, but even the establishment of a global economic welsh network by the Welsh Government to help co-ordinate the Welsh Diaspora in business, technology, cultural and sport to help promote Wales around the world would be significant and extremely beneficial to a failing welsh economy.

But do we have anyone with the vision in Cardiff Bay to grasp the idea and make something like this a reality; I sincerely doubt it which is a real shame for Wales.Any source