asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of United States companies that were in negotiation with the IDA about prospective industries at the end of September, 1976; the number of negotiations since ceased; and if he will give details of when they ceased.
Written Answers. - Industrial Investment.
97.
For the purpose of this reply I regard as companies in negotiation with the Industrial Development Authority those whose executives had visited this country and discussed specific proposals with the authority. I am informed that at the end of September, 1976, there were 71 such US companies. In addition, many other US companies were at earlier stages of inquiry or discussion with the authority's overseas offices.
I am informed that six of these companies have since notified the authority that they do not intend to proceed with the projects under discussion. The authority will maintain contact with these firms in an effort to receive the projects which were under negotiation or obtain alternative industrial proposals from them.
Three of these companies ceased negotiations in October, 1976, and the others in November, 1976, January, 1977, and February, 1977, respectively.
98.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of inquiries that were received by the IDA from United States companies about possible investment in industrial enterprises in this country for the second half of 1975 and 1976, respectively.
I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that 209 inquiries were received from US companies about possible investment in industrial enterprises in this country in the second half of 1975, and that the figure for the corresponding period in 1976 was 517.