A representation headed by the President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, also including hotel entrepreneurs, restaurateurs and professionals from other sectors of Lanzarote, have held meetings this week with national authorities, including Ministers of Tourism, Enterprise and Employment, Peter Burke; the Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, the Minister of Transport, Community Development and Rural Affairs, Jerry Buttimer; and the Minister of Social Protection, Dara Callery; and Senator Diarmuid Wilson; as well as leaders from the field of IDA and Enterprise Ireland (agencies for attracting and promoting companies in Ireland) and businessmen from the country to promote investment and the development of new economic opportunities.
Likewise, President Oswaldo Betancort was received by the Dail (Irish Parliament) and its Vice President, Verona Murphy, who spoke of Lanzarote and the close relationship with the Irish people in parliamentary session. In addition, the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland, Ion de la Riva Guzmán, received the delegation and highlighted Lanzarote's opportunity to act as a bridge between the national governments of Spain and Ireland in economic, tourism and cultural matters.
Other prominent members of this working expedition have been the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, José Valle, the CEO of the Centers for Art, Culture and Tourism, Ángel Vázquez, the CEO of the Foreign Promotion Society, Héctor Fernandez, businessmen from the Lanzarote-Ireland Network, as well as the mayor of Tías, José Juan Cruz Saavedra, whose municipality brings together one of the most important communities of Irish residents in the Canary Islands.
President Oswaldo Betancort has acknowledged that Lanzarote is emerging as a hub for sustainable investment, remote work and business innovation. "As an outermost region of the European Union, the island offers a strategic bridge between Ireland, Spain and the emerging markets of Africa. This visit seeks to strengthen trade ties, attract foreign investment and consolidate the historical and cultural relations that have united Lanzarote and Ireland for more than two centuries," he said.
"Lanzarote is not only a first-class tourist destination, we are consolidating ourselves as an economic engine with great investment opportunities. Ireland is a key partner in this vision, and this meeting marks a fundamental step to strengthen our cooperation. We are looking for a model of lower burden, but of more qualitative and long-lasting economic impact, such as with digital nomads or satellite offices of large multinationals on the island, who are active partners in improving society and creating employment in Lanzarote. And for that I thank Lanzarote-Ireland network for the leadership.", said Oswaldo Betancort.
The meetings with Enterprise Ireland focused on how Lanzarote and La Graciosa can serve as a platform for expansion for Irish companies interested in the Spanish, Canary and African markets. Likewise, the possibility of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Lanzarote has been analyzed together with professionals from the IDA Ireland ecosystem (main Irish investment attraction agency), offering tax advantages, European incentives and a direct connection with the African continent. With the Ireland Management Institute, the delegation has learned about training for business leaders.
Leading the attraction of talent
Lanzarote is also positioning itself as a preferred enclave for digital nomads and entrepreneurs from all over Europe. The combination of connectivity, quality of life and business ecosystem makes the island an ideal destination for professionals looking for an inspiring environment to develop their projects.
"This initiative reinforces the internationalization strategy of the Canary Islands and confirms that Lanzarote can lead the attraction of Irish investment. This is great news not only for Lanzarote, but for all of the Canary Islands and Ireland, as it opens new business and bilateral cooperation opportunities," explained CEO Héctor Fernández.
On the other hand, José Valle, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, has stressed the relevance of the mission in Dublin and its impact on the international projection of the island: "This mission has been a great opportunity to strengthen ties with institutions and companies in Ireland, a key market in Europe. We have been able to show the potential of Lanzarote as an investment destination and business collaboration, thus reinforcing our internationalization strategy." Valle also stressed the importance of attracting foreign investment and strengthening cooperation with other markets; and added: "Lanzarote has a lot to offer in sectors such as sustainable tourism, innovation and business development".
Historical and cultural ties
Beyond the economic sphere, Lanzarote and Ireland share deep cultural ties that date back to the 19th century, when Irish merchants played a key role in the economic development of the island.
The Irish community in Lanzarote continues to grow, with more than 300,000 Irish tourists visiting the island annually and prominent events such as the St. Patrick's Festival, which celebrate the connection between both territories.
For his part, the mayor of Tías, José Juan Cruz, said that "Lanzarote and the municipality of Tías, with its tourist enclave of Puerto del Carmen, represent the home for a large community of Irish people. We want to celebrate Irish culture and join their traditions with events such as St Patrick's Festival in an attractive environment connected to economic promotion, job creation and cultural exchange".