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:
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