Digital economy ?to create 18,000 jobs?

Digital economy ?to create 18,000 jobs?

Friday, February 22, 2013

By John Walsh, Business Correspondent

The digital economy has the potential to create 18,000 jobs over the next three years and the internet sector has the potential to double its contribution from 3% to 6% of GDP over the same period, according to a report.

The UPC report on Ireland?s digital future, which was conducted by Am?rach Research, found that revenues from the internet economy could double to ?11.3bn by 2016 if current trends continue.

?This will be underpinned by 2.6m Irish online shoppers spending ?5.7bn (7% of all consumer spending) in 2016, compared to ?3.7bn in 2012.?

Speaking at a breakfast briefing in Dublin yesterday to launch the report, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said creating an Europe-wide single market for the digital economy was one of the top priorities for Ireland?s EU presidency.

?In the near future, 90% of global trade will be done outside the EU. We must be ready for these digital markets and online trading will be crucial.?

Mr Kenny said Ireland?s national digital strategy had made a lot of progress in a short time. The focus of this strategy was digital adoption to ensure that every citizen and small-to-medium sized business in the country embraced the online space.

The Taoiseach called on the banks to deal with the 100,000 mortgages in distress in order for these people to be freed up to start spending in the economy again and contribute towards the recovery.

?I see no reason why that by 2016 we cannot be recognised as the best small country in the world to do business.?

The Taoiseach urged that science and technology be embraced at every level of the education system.

?I can?t tell you exactly where the job opportunities will be in five years, but there are trends and they are pointing towards the digital economy.?

The more investment Ireland could attract, the more it would stoke domestic economic activity. He said this Government was open to all ideas that would spur growth in the future and urged all business leaders to write to his administration with any appropriate suggestions.

Credibility had been restored to Ireland?s international perception because the Government had staked its reputation on setting goals and sticking to these targets, the Taoiseach said.

?The digital economy has a major role to play in our country?s economic recovery, with Ireland on its way to becoming the digital capital of Europe. We welcome the arrival of global digital brands into Ireland and the contribution they make to our economy and society. The ongoing challenge for Government is to prevent a two-tier digital economy from developing and to ensure that Irish small and medium sized businesses are encouraged to embrace the opportunities new digital technologies can offer.

?I want to see all Irish businesses live up to their potential and have the ability to compete globally. For the Government?s part, we will work to create a supportive and flexible enterprise environment so that Ireland?s digital economy can continue to go from strength to strength.?

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