Over 250 influential Irish and Irish-connected individuals from across almost 40 countries will meet for the Global Irish Economic Forum next week. 

Senior figures including Coca-Cola executive vice-president Irial Finan,  American Ireland Fund chair Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chinese expert Liam Casey and author Colum McCann will meet in Dublin Castle over two days.

Members of the Government speaking at the forum, include Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton.

Events will also take place in Cork, Galway and Belfast as part of the forum.

One of the key parts of this years forum will bring in 100 small and medium sized companies and advise them how to expand.

Eamon Gilmore, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, made the announcement in New York this week.

"Next week, 260 leading Irish and Irish-connected figures from across the globe will come together in Dublin to play their part in building on Ireland's recovery. This year's Forum will be very much focused on opportunities for job creation," he said.

"Over the two days, 18 working groups and six panel discussions will focus on opportunities for Ireland in high-potential sectors including financial services, food and agri-tech, higher education, smart-ageing technologies, social innovation and the digitisation of the global economy."

The Labour leader said any members travelling to the forum will do so on their own time and at own expense.

"The Global Irish Economic Forum is a success story. Since the first one was held in 2009, it has helped to transform the way the Government does business with leading international figures who are connected to Ireland," he said.

The forum takes place on October 4th and 5th.