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18/11/2003
Cross-border programme aims for 500 jobs
Increased sales of £71m and 500 new jobs are the targets for a new, all-island sales and development programme aimed at the SME sector.
Republic of Ireland Minister for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern, launched the InterTradeIreland Acumen programme at a reception held in Cork.
Making the announcement at the Council Chambers in Cork City Hall, Mr Ahern said: “A lack of resources, market information and business contacts alongside major distribution problems are just some of the barriers that have prevented small firms engaging fully in cross-border trade.
"The InterTradeIreland Acumen programme seeks to overcome these problems by helping SMEs identify, create and develop new cross-border business opportunities, achieving new sales and building sustainable business growth.
“The two main forms of support are assistance with half the cost of consultancy, where a company wants to develop a new cross-border initiative and secondly, assistance with half the first year’s salary of a sales and marketing person dedicated to the cross-border market.
“The cross-border trade body, InterTradeIreland takes responsibility for the programme and I look forward to seeing the successful business outcomes for companies from Coleraine to Cork and Carrickfergus to Clifden and the two economies in general."
In 2002 cross-border trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic stood at £1.9bn, having almost doubled in the last ten years.
The Cork launch was attended by a number of companies from the Munster region, representatives from Invest NI, IBEC-CBI, Chambers of Trade and other business organisations.
(MB)
Republic of Ireland Minister for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern, launched the InterTradeIreland Acumen programme at a reception held in Cork.
Making the announcement at the Council Chambers in Cork City Hall, Mr Ahern said: “A lack of resources, market information and business contacts alongside major distribution problems are just some of the barriers that have prevented small firms engaging fully in cross-border trade.
"The InterTradeIreland Acumen programme seeks to overcome these problems by helping SMEs identify, create and develop new cross-border business opportunities, achieving new sales and building sustainable business growth.
“The two main forms of support are assistance with half the cost of consultancy, where a company wants to develop a new cross-border initiative and secondly, assistance with half the first year’s salary of a sales and marketing person dedicated to the cross-border market.
“The cross-border trade body, InterTradeIreland takes responsibility for the programme and I look forward to seeing the successful business outcomes for companies from Coleraine to Cork and Carrickfergus to Clifden and the two economies in general."
In 2002 cross-border trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic stood at £1.9bn, having almost doubled in the last ten years.
The Cork launch was attended by a number of companies from the Munster region, representatives from Invest NI, IBEC-CBI, Chambers of Trade and other business organisations.
(MB)
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