The Government is to host Europe's first competitiveness summit in Dublin later this year it has been confirmed.
The Tánaiste Ms Harney confirmed this evening the conference would go ahead in October following her government's agreement to the move after an approach from the Geneva-based World Economic Forum.
She said the meeting would bring together EU and US leaders from the political, business and academic worlds.
Ms Harney added "The summit will bring a welcome focus to the competitiveness agenda in advance of Ireland's EU presidency in 2004.
"A strong focus will also be placed on the issues of social inclusion and corporate social responsibility. This forum will have the capacity to influence change and drive the reforms needed to build competitiveness and greater social inclusion in the EU."