Country Market Attractiveness: Ireland The "Celtic Tiger"

COUNTRY MARKET ATTRACTIVENESS ANALYSIS

IRELAND:

"The Celtic Tiger"

1. Table of Contents

1. Table of ContentsÐ'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'....3

2. General Description of Ireland & its Economy Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.....3

3. International/Trade Relationships Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'......3

4. Political & Legal Factors Ð'...Ð'....Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.....Ð'...Ð'...Ð'......Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'....Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'....3

5. Market Segmentation Issues Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'......Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...4

6. Income Level Issues Ð'....Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'..........................................4

7. Currency IssuesÐ'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'..... Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'......Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'......4

8. PricingÐ'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.....4

9. DistributionÐ'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.....5

10. PromotionÐ'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'....5

11. Overall Assessment of Ireland's AttractivenessÐ'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.....5

2. General Description of Ireland & its Economy

With a population just less than 6 million Ireland isn't big in size, but in the past 5 years it has quickly placed itself on the global radar in a huge way. It was only a few decades back that Ireland was considered one of Europe's poorest countries and not even a thought in economists or investors minds. From 1990-2002 Ireland went through a rapid economic growth which laid the foundation for the country's new economic facade. Many credit this dramatic turnaround on low corporate taxation, some say it was the higher education the country provided through its skilled workforce, others say it was just the luck of the Irish. However, what is agreed upon is that Ireland's economic boom was extraordinary and unexpected. Its dramatic turnaround and new attractiveness to the European Union and World had economists dubbing the new look Ireland "The Celtic Tiger."

The 1990's was a great time for the Irish economy as new reforms & deregulation came to fruition. Ireland's economy had been growing rapidly for the past decade thanks to European Union directives that favor EU nations with small economies. The economy of Ireland has transformed in recent years from an agricultural focus to one dependent on trade. These new sectors were supported by an untapped skilled workforce and tax benefits which benefited businesses. In fact, these emerging sectors saw the Irish Gross Domestic Product or GDP accomplish double digit growth for the years 1999 and 2000. Then in 2003, the economy slowed down, the Celtic Tiger was tamed but Ireland still remains stronger than other EU member states.

3. International/Trade Relationships

Ireland's new look and new economy has developed itself into a strong international trade partner. To date, the top three export partners include the U.S.A., United Kingdom and Belgium and its three main import partners are the United-Kingdom, the U.S.A. and Germany. On the export side Ireland mainly sends organic chemicals, electronic & telecommunication equipment and pharmaceutical products. Exports play a fundamental role in the state's robust growth, but the economy also benefits from the accompanying rise in consumer spending, construction, and business investment. It's worth noting that Ireland's tech boom doesn't goes without notice as the country is the largest exporter of software-related goods and services in the world.

4. Political & Legal Factors

For many, the first thing that comes to mind when you think of politics in Ireland is the Northern Ireland debacle which has recently come to a resolution. In fact, Ireland's political environment has played a major role in shaping and molding its new economy thanks to its pro-business political culture. This can be attributed to well built and run regulation, service, and fiscal environment that few countries can match. For Irish politics, networking is a way of life, and information