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Waterford

Ireland’s best
place to

live

Opportunities

Waterford

Ireland’s best
place to

work

Waterford

Ireland’s best
place to

Grow

Waterford

Ireland’s best
place to

invest

This is Waterford

The economic capital of the South East region

A city of scale and significance, driving regional growth and prosperity and realising its full potential on behalf of the region. A sustainable, dynamic and resourceful City where people, as a matter of choice, will seek to live, work, invest, experience and socialise.

Waterford Connectivity

Waterford

A Place for Innovation

There is a network of Innovation & Enterprise Centres throughout Waterford that offer a supportive and vibrant environment where businesses can locate at an affordable rate. For more information on each centre, click on the links below.

12.5%

Ireland operates a pro-business, low-fax environment, maintaining the 12.5% corporate tax rate.

7th

Ireland as the 7th Best Country in the World for private enterprise.

Waterford

A Place for Creativity

Waterford is the largest urban centre in the South East of Ireland and the fifth largest city in the Republic of Ireland. It has a population of over 53,000 with a population of 603,902 within a 60 minute drive.

12.5%

Ireland operates a pro-business, low-fax environment, maintaining the 12.5% corporate tax rate.

7th

PwC’s 2023 report ranked Ireland as the 7th Best Country in the World for private enterprise.

Waterford

A Place for Growth

Waterford is the largest urban centre in the South East of Ireland and the fifth largest city in the Republic of Ireland. It has a population of over 53,000 with a population of 603,902 within a 60 minute drive.

6th

The South East region is the 6th fastest growing region in the EU in terms of job growth.

83,000

83,000 jobs created across the South East region by 2040.

Why Ireland?

One of the World’s most vibrant economies

There are many reasons to Invest & do Business in Waterford. Here are some highlights …

12.5% Corporation Tax Rate

Ireland offers business one of the lowest corporation tax rates in the OECD with generous allowances and exemptions

7th best in the world for enterprise

A 2023 report by PwC ranked Ireland 7th best in the world for private enterprise

4th in Word Competitiveness

Ireland is ranked 4th out of 67 countries for competitiveness in in the 2024 IMD yearbook

19th out of 133 for innovation

Ireland ranks 19th in the Global Innovation Index, highlighting its excellence in ICT services

Waterford’s

Economic Growth

€170 million

North Quays infrastructural work, to be completed in 2025.

€200 Tirlán plant at Belview

Additional €60m into Port of Waterford for quay expansion works

€30+ million

Investment for Waterford Airport

€2 million for N24

Connectivity improvements for Waterford to Cahir

Continued growth in GVA per capita within the region will be driven by growth in employment in high value sectors such as Information, Communications & Technology and High-Tech Manufacturing & Engineering, Life Sciences, Financial and International Business Services.

This is Waterford

Sector Strength

Waterford’s economy is experiencing a major transformation with a shift towards more knowledge intensive industries including Advanced manufacturing, Bio-pharma, Fintech, ICT as well as emerging opportunities in Tourism and Agricultural Technology.

There are 26,625 companies operating in the Waterford City Region within knowledge intensive sectors and industry 4.0 driving consistent economic growth. Established supply chains ensure companies can work across many sectors and gain access to valuable resources. Business supports, skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure and soft-landing services have led many companies to choose Waterford City Region as a strategic site to position multiple business activities such as R&D, manufacturing, sales and service.

Find out more

Tourism Growth

Opportunity

With the accolade of the ‘Sunny South East’, the region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

With over 300km of coastline, river valleys, hiking trails and a 46km cycle and walk greenway, which is the longest in Ireland, the region is characterised by quaint seaside and country style villages and towns steeped in Ireland’s ancient history of castles, churches and abbeys. In addition, with over 64 national and international events and festivals including Viking Marathon, Spraoi, Winterval, Film Festival, Tramore Races and Harvest Food Festival, tourism is a vibrant industry and synonymous with Waterford City region, accounting for over 1 million visitors annually and 6% of the State’s total tourism revenue.

Waterford Assets

Connectivity & Infrastructure

Investment in high quality infrastructure such as Waterford Airport, Port of Waterford, motorways and broadband adds to the productive potential of the economy whilst also supporting jobs and improving the quality of life for all residents.

international connectivity. This will allow for 300,000 to 400,000 additional passengers. €140m investment in the region’s deep sea port. The annual value of goods through the Port was estimated at €1.7 billion in 2017 with 1,000 jobs directly and indirectly supported.

Our Team

How we help.

We can provide investment support and advice on doing business in Waterford. We facilitate introductions to economic development agencies, private industry, academia and government.

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