18/05/2006

NI businesses at centre of world e-commerce

Northern Ireland businesses have been urged to fully exploit on-line opportunities in a competitive global market place.

The Permanent Secretary, Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment, Stephen Quinn, addressing an audience at a two-day conference showcasing on-line technologies from across Europe, said that the region's world-class telecommunications infrastructure afforded NI businesses the opportunity to be at the centre of the e-world.

The 'e-Europe4all' conference aims to highlight best practice in on-line technologies, including e-health, e-learning and e-business from countries including Italy, Finland, Spain and Germany.

Mr Quinn said: "In January Northern Ireland became the leading European region with 100% broadband access. While physically on the periphery of Europe, Northern Ireland's world class telecommunications infrastructure puts it right in the centre of the on-line world.

"Everyone in Northern Ireland can take advantage of broadband and use it in every aspect of life, for learning, health, business and entertainment."

He said: "This conference is an opportunity for delegates, from the business, public, voluntary and community sectors, to learn from best practice in other parts of Europe. The challenge is to build on this, to make Northern Ireland products and services even better, and to gain a real and sustainable competitive advantage."

The 'eEurope4all' conference and showcase exhibition is being hosted by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), with support from Industrial Development Agency Ireland (IDA) and the European Regional Development Fund.

Visit www.e-europe4all.net for further information.

(SP)

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