Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Dublin's Silicon Docks, where international tech giants have their European headquarters, represent a main driver for the Irish economy
It identifies three main regions in the country, each with its own economic focus and untapped potential
Today, Ireland unveiled its new strategy for regional investment and development called Smart Specialisation Strategy. The strategy will be funded through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Fund to the tune of 396 million euros and will focus on developing region-specific industries in the country, based on local strengths.
The investment period for the strategy will run from 2022 to 2027 and will focus on universities and the transfer of knowledge between small and medium-sized businesses and higher education.
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar explained that implementing the plan would be a vital tool for Ireland to prepare for a future of change and uncertainty.
He pointed to climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, inflation and economic competitiveness, as well as what he called "Putin’s war in Ukraine" as the main issues the republic has to face in the coming years.
Furthermore, Varadkar framed the regional development strategy as Ireland’s bid to solidify and protect its economic progress.
The Irish regional investment plan has two main pillars of investment. One focuses on specific sectors in the economy related to the regions and their economic foundations. The other is a set of five priority areas, that would benefit the economy as a whole.
Here are the priority areas:
These should help strengthen industries that lawmakers have identified as running through the entire country. They include information and communication technologies, pharmaceuticals, agrifood and the growing renewable energy sector.
In terms of regional development, Mr Varadkar explained that there are three main regions that authorities had identified. For the North and Western regions, he pointed to the creative sector and the so-called ‘blue’ economy, meaning activities related to the Atlantic Ocean.
For the East and the Midlands, containing Dublin and the famous ‘Silicon Dock’ where multinationals like Facebook and Google have their European headquarters, he pointed to advanced manufacturing, food and financial services. Additionally, he identified design and the automotive sectors as key for the Southern region.
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
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At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
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Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
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