However, the midlands had been performing well in the last few years.
Brexit, protectionism and taxation along with covid-19 are the biggest barriers to attracting foreign direct investment, according to the IDA.
A new report from the inward investment agency shows there's been a 6% decline in new finance coming from outside the state in the first six months of the year.
245,000 people are employed by multi-national companies across Ireland.
Midlands regional manager with the IDA Ken Whitelaw says the sector was performing well in the region before the pandemic hit:
Westmeath Man Jailed Over 10,000 Child Abuse Images Caught Again
VR Project Comes To Midlands
Laois Resource Centre's Ophthalmology Service Sees First Paediatric Patient
Laois Workshop For 'Future-Ready Workforce' Taking Place
Westmeath Local Authority Using Drones To Detect Illegal Dumping
Midlands Set For Brighter Weekend As High Pressure Builds
Greenfields Festival Relocates To Laois Site For Bank Holiday Weekend
Laois Chef Named Finalist In National Enterprise Awards 2026
Darkness Into Light To Go Ahead In Westmeath Town After New Committee Formed
Irish Rail To Boost Security Patrols After Surge In Onboard Incidents
Junior Cycle Reforms Increased Teacher Workload - TUI
Offaly GAA Hosts 'An Evening Of Courage & Conversation'
Laois Man Drives To South Africa In Converted 20 Year Old Pajero
Plans Submitted To Turn Former Offaly Pub And Nightclub
Offaly Fianna Fail TD Backing Taoiseach 'For The Moment'
Irish Peatland International Conference Set For Offaly
91 Year Old Activist Completes Peaceful Protest Walk Across Ireland
Offaly TD Challenges Taoiseach On Peat Criminalisation
Offaly Third Highest Producer Of Wind Energy Nationally
Midlands County Council Spends Close To Half A Million Tackling Illegal Dumping