A Dhaoine Uaisle,

Tá fíor-áthas orm a bheith in bhur dteannta inniu chun an tionscadal nua iontach idirnáisiúnta seo a sheoladh. Leis an bhforbairt seo, atá faoi stiúir Chomhpháirtíocht Forbartha Chiarraí Theas, tá nasc cruthaithe le ceantair eile dá samhail san Ísiltír, sa Bheilg, i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag. Tuigtear dom gurb é an príomhchuspóir atá agaibh leis ná fiontair nua a fhorbairt agus fás geilleagrach a bhaint amach idir réigiúin in Iarthuaisceart na hEorpa.

Is éard atá i gceist le 'Collabor8' ná obair a dhéanamh i dteannta a chéile, chun taithí agus acmhainní a roinnt le chéile ar mhaithe le forbairt gheilleagrach agus chultúir faoin tuath. Táim deimhneach go rachaidh an tionscnamh seo chun tairbhe do Chiarraí Theas. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú le gach aon duine atá páirteach ann agus gach rath a ghuí oraibh.

I am very pleased to be here to launch this exciting new international initiative. South Kerry Development Partnership is taking the lead role in this development which creates links with similar regions in The Netherlands, Belgium, England and Wales. The aim is to develop new enterprise and achieve economic growth in South Kerry and in the participating regions of North West Europe.

‘Collabor8’, as the name suggests, is about working together to share experience and resources for economic and cultural development. I am sure this initiative will benefit South Kerry and I would like to commend everybody involved. I know this is a complex project to bring to fruition and responsibility for a successful outcome lies in large part with South Kerry Development Partnership as the lead partner. However, I have every confidence that you will achieve your goals as you have done on so many occasions in the past.

South Kerry Development Partnership will also be influential in promoting Ireland and South Kerry as a key tourism destination in this project. The total value of the Project is €10.6 million. South Kerry Development Partnership’s share of this budget is €1.6 million and it is one of only 2 Irish organisations that is lead partner of a European Regional Development Fund grant.

In an increasingly competitive global marketplace regional identity and uniqueness of place can increase competitive advantage. This will be a key focus in each participating area. Of course different regions have different strengths and resources to work with. Tourism related enterprise is undoubtedly a key area for us here in South Kerry. We have a lot to offer to our visitors but we must always strive to add value in every way possible to stay competitive.

The project will help to increase co-operation and create clusters of sustainable new enterprises in these regions across a number of areas. These include tourism related initiatives - including cultural and heritage initiatives, rural recreation and developments in the local food and hospitality sectors.

Sharing experience and evaluating what worked and what didn’t work in each region will offer a valuable bank of knowledge to apply to existing and new enterprise. Of course new technologies will be used at all stages in the process. Dedicated staff will visit and work with enterprises to help them develop and grow their businesses. Much will be gained by encouraging businesses to work together and collaborate locally and regionally.

The project also provides funding for training. Those running local businesses and new enterprises will receive training as well as support to travel to other regions. They can share experience and exchange ideas on new business developments and new markets to promote Kerry across Europe. So local people will learn from what succeeds in other regions but they will also act as ambassadors promoting Kerry to those regions.

I know that South Kerry Development Partnership has been working on a number of strategic initiatives in South Kerry over the past year to sustain and develop enterprise in the area.

The Ring of Kerry Network project is a practical example of how Collabor8 will work locally. The power of the Ring of Kerry brand is used to promote the wealth of quality products and services available in our region.

Four networks within the Ring have been identified: The Sneem area; The Waterville Cahersiveen area; The Kenmare/Beara area and Farmers & Country Markets.

Local businesses now work more closely together in towns and villages in each of these networks on the Ring. This collaboration will strengthen what is on offer in each area. It will strengthen the product and services offered. It will improve the scope and scale of marketing initiatives. Local businesses working together, in the tourism sector and food production sector, can achieve results that would otherwise be beyond their individual reach.

I believe it will be an exciting journey for those involved in this new initiative. It will no doubt be a learning experience for us here in Kerry as it will be for those in the other regions in Holland, Belgium, England and Wales.

Collaboration and co-operation between these regions selected in each country should release a new energy and open new creative ideas and processes to stimulate economic growth.

Collabor8 will, I’m sure, benefit Kerry in the years ahead and I wish you every success in your endeavours.

Thank You