Innovation key for business revitalisation - PwC hosts Business Leaders' Conference for the South East

PwC hosts its South East Business Leaders' Conference today at Mount Juliet, Co Kilkenny. The event is designed to help Irish businesses position themselves for growth through innovation. Topics being covered are an update on business and accounting challenges, the current tax environment, an economic outlook and lessons learnt from the world of sport on how leadership and teamwork insights can be applied to business.

Addressing the event, Billy Sweetman, PwC’s Partner for the South East said:

"Notwithstanding the current difficult economic environment, recent PwC research shows Irish CEOs are just as optimistic about their own businesses as their global counterparts. It is clear that domestic Irish businesses are using innovation to reshape their business for the ‘new normal' conditions of greater competition, reduced demand, and changed consumer behaviour."

Speaking about the economic outlook, Austin Hughes, Chief Economist, KBC Ireland said:

“It looks like we are reaching a defining moment for the Euro area economy. Policymakers must take radical and more cohesive action than we have seen to date or market pressures will become uncontainable. In the very near term, this largely entails the ECB doing more and politicians saying less.

"Although poorer global conditions will act as a further headwind to a recovery in the Irish economy, there are signs that painful adjustments made by Irish businesses and consumers may be starting to bear fruit. The turnaround in the Irish economy is likely to remain protracted and patchy but, looking a little further ahead, Irish economic prospects have improved significantly relative to those of many other countries.”

ENDS

About PwC
The firms of the PwC network provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their clients. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries in firms across the PwC network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. For more information see www.pwc.com.

“PwC” is the brand under which member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwCIL) operate and provide services. Together, these firms form the PwC network. Each firm in the network is a separate legal entity and does not act as agent of PwCIL or any other member firm. PwCIL does not provide any services to clients. PwCIL is not responsible or liable for the acts or omissions of any of its member firms nor can it control the exercise of their professional judgment or bind them in any way.