Shannon Development wants to develop Shannon Airport as a major logistics hub, capable of delivering goods anywhere in Europe within 48 hours.
The state agency's chief executive Kevin Thompstone said such a move could result in a doubling of jobs and exports in the region by 2020.
He said initial research on the issue suggested that Shannon Airport had the potential to become a major air cargo hub with an integrated air, road, rail and port transport system.
Mr Thompstone said the key features of a logistics hub would also include an advanced telecoms infrastructure, and facilities for manufacturing, service industry and cargo distribution.
He said a logistics hub, if developed, could become a magnet for global manufacturers, assemblers and distributors.
Mr Thompstone was speaking at the company's end of year results presentation in Limerick.
The agency created 1,500 new jobs last year, bringing overall employment in companies it supports to 19,754. There were reduced net job losses of 214, compared with 734 in 2002.
Mr Thompstone described 2003 as a year of 'solid progress' with indications of a recovery in the second half of 2003.
