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Irish Chamber Breakfast
16 March 2007
Note: The Governor often deviates from prepared remarks
I want to describe to you a place that we’re all fond of – maybe you can guess where I’m talking about. It’s a region that, until very recently in its history, had an economy based on agriculture.
This place has a friendly, fast-growing population … and an even faster-growing economy, with diverse strength in areas like financial services, life sciences and information technology.
This place has one of the most advanced and competitive telecommunications infrastructures in the world … and through its strong, pro-business policies, it has positioned itself as the business gateway to an entire region.
Well, you may have guessed by now that this description actually fits two places that are very important to everyone in this room. I think you’ll all agree with me when I say that’s a fair depiction of both Georgia and Ireland.
I mentioned the friendly populations – Southern hospitality is a tradition that goes back to Georgia’s founding years. And it’s something we still pride ourselves on.
People sometimes say that Southern warmth and charm evolved from our mild climate and mild manners. But Irish warmth and charm sure doesn’t come from their weather – I always thought it might come from the whiskey!
There’s plenty more we have in common. We’ve got large Georgia companies like Delta Air Lines and UPS with flourishing operations in Ireland, as well as successful Irish ones like Oldcastle and Western Plastics bringing their business to Georgia.
Georgia Tech has located its first international research institute, a $24 million facility, in Athlone. GTRI Ireland is helping connect European tech marketswiththe Southeastern United States.
We have similar economies – similar technological engines for growth – and similar goals for development.
We have embraced a strong partnership between Georgia and Ireland. And we are paying close attention to every opportunity to build that partnership with new business and new investment.
Last year the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce paid its third visit to Georgia in two years. And last April I sent a team, led by Chris Clark and co-sponsored by the Northern Ireland and Dublin Chambers, to widen the scope of our mutual business development.
Our delegation met with potential business partners in Dublin, Belfast and Killyleagh.
And please keep in mind that our efforts are focused on growing an already strong relationship. In 2006, Georgia exports to Ireland totaled more than $160 million. Irish investment in Georgia totaled $158 million.
Some of you may have already heard that I will be leading a trade mission to Europe this summer. Well, I’m happy to tell this crowd that our very first stop in Europe will be Ireland.
Because just as Georgia is the gateway to the American South, Ireland serves as the front door to the European Union.
I look forward to seeing many of you there as we work side-by-side to create even more opportunities for Irish-Georgian partnerships.
I’m also pleased to announce that on that trip, we’ll be devoting some time to fostering new ties to Northern Ireland as well.
There’s a rumor going around that I’ll be the first Governor in the US to visit Belfast – and my staff gave me all sorts of instructions on how to behave.
If the question of “us” versus “them” arises . . . and I’m asked what group I belong to, I’m not supposed to expound on my Baptist faith, or to mention that my son is a minister. They tell me the correct response is “I’m an atheist, thank God!”
Like all of you, I’m looking forward to this trip, and to the opportunities we will all develop. I thank the Irish Chamber of Commerce for being such an active sponsor.
Our goal is essentially to use one another – in this global market, it’s important for Georgia companies not just to have close ties with Florida and South Carolina, but also with Ireland and China.
Working together, we can create partnerships that will make Georgia stronger and Ireland stronger – creating jobs, growing our economies and expanding opportunities for our businesses.
As I’m sure all of you know, we’ve had great success in doing this here in Georgia over the last five years. In fact, since 2002 Georgia’s population has grown by nearly half a million people…more than 252,000 new jobs have been created…and Georgia’s economy has grown by more than 18% to an astonishing $363 billion.
If Georgia were a stand-alone country, we would have the 17th largest economy in the world.
This is the type of growth and prosperity that everyone in this chamber can take pride in. And these are the kind of results that we will continue to deliver by constantly seeking new ways to grow and new ways to partner up, both at home and abroad.
I thank you all for being here this morning, and I look forward to seeing many of you again in June. And before I go, let me not forget to wish you all a very happy St. Patrick’s Day! |
