Published: Tue, 25 February 2014
Share this
Clare is ideally placed to succeed in an entry for the European Entrepreneurial Region Award according to local MEP Sean Kelly who spoke on the matter in the European Parliament, Strasbourg last night (Monday).
Speaking in the Parliament, the Fine Gael MEP said Clare would be a worthy recipient of the award which is designed to recognise regions that facilitate entrepreneurialism through forward thinking and sustainable governance.
“Kerry is the County I come from and it received the European Entrepreneurial Region Award in 2011. Clare is another county which could benefit hugely from such an award. Clare is home to some of the finest tourist attractions in the world – the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren.
“And of course there is Shannon Airport and the aerospace sector which have the potential to generate jobs. It is a great place to do business; they have a very positive, ‘can-do’ attitude there, as seen last year when their hurlers won the All-Ireland against all the odds.
“I would hope that this region would be recognised with the European Entrepreneurial Region Award as well,” he added.
Commenting after his speech, Mr Kelly said the new EU COSME programme could benefit Clare’s Small to Medium Businesses (SMEs).
The Shannon Region MEP will meet community leaders in Clare in the coming weeks to progress the application under the European Entrepreneurial Region Award and offer advice on how to ensure the bid will have a greater chance of success, based on the experience gleaned from Kerry’s successful bid in 2011.
