International e-business conference opens in Belfast

Growth in Northern Ireland’s economy depends on the ability of local business to make the best use of e-business technologies to tackle global markets.

This was message from Economy Minister, Ian Pearson who was speaking at the opening of a major international conference on e-business held in Belfast on Tuesday, November 26.

The BT e-business conference, taking place at W5 in the Odyssey, is targeted at the top 200 small and medium sized businesses in Northern Ireland and aims to raise awareness of the benefits of e-business and broadband technologies.

Addressing the business audience, the Minister said: “Technological change, in particular the internet, has provided us with the capability to transform business practice, our economy, public services and society as a whole.

“By harnessing the latest information and communications technologies, business is able to respond even more quickly and effectively to the needs of existing and potential customers.”

Underlining the importance of embracing e-business technologies in order to tackle global markets, Mr Pearson added: “It is no longer just enough to be connected. Companies know that they need to prepare e-business strategies if they are to improve their competitiveness and profitability.”

The Minister said that DETI and Invest Northern Ireland are playing a key role in helping business in Northern Ireland make the step into e-business and that this included encouraging the rollout of affordable broadband services across Northern Ireland and providing technical and business expertise.

Nearly £1.5 million from the UK Broadband Fund had been secured for a number of initiatives to develop schemes to extend broadband networks.

Mr Pearson said that DETI was also working in partnership with InterTradeIreland, and the Republic’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on a policy aimed at seeking the fullest exploitation of digital technologies by businesses across the island of Ireland.

The conference also features an advice clinic featuring representatives of Invest NI’s e-business team and BT Business advisors.

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