Ireland's International Financial Services Center and the Development of the International Services Development Zone in Tacoma, Washington

Abstract

This report attempts to take a look at the program set forth by the government of Ireland to attract international companies by establishing the International Financial Services Center (IFSC). The IFSC will be looked at in two ways. From an analytical standpoint, the report hopes to form a better understanding of the Center itself. Then, on a practical level, it will look at the IFSC as a prototype for economic development efforts in Tacoma, Washington. Specific areas of the IFSC will be broken down and analyzed. They are the following: • the necessary qualifications companies must have for IFSC status and the government agencies charged with regulating the Center • the importance of telecommunications infrastructure and the role of state-of-the- art facilities in the Center • the training and education measures which support a human infrastructure for the IFSC • the overall effectiveness of the IFSC to create an environment of sustainable development for Ireland The second part of the report, upon addressing the outlined aspect of the IFSC, stems from a three month internship with Community Connections, Incorporated.