John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

It is 14 years old. Key InterTradeIreland initiatives include the Acumen programme which stimulates cross-Border trade by assisting individual SMEs, as does the Fusion programme. Some 19,000 SMEs have benefited from cross-Border information and 2,400 have taken part in all-island programmes. Some €600 million worth of trade and business development has been generated and 1,300 new jobs have been created. On the joint North-South agencies initiative, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland have teamed up to host Bridging the Border seminars, which have been very effective. Information is also provided on agencies support as well as one-to-one meetings. The Promoting Entrepreneurship Programme has also been equally effective. I recently attended the Halo Business Angels Network which has been very successful. The North West Business and Technology Zone, NWBTZ, Initiative in Letterkenny has equally been successful. Part of IDA's contribution to the NWBTZ project involved incorporating its three separate business parks in Letterkenny into a 44 ha state-of-the-art business and technology park which matches international standards.

Invest Northern Ireland's contribution has been spread between three geographical sites. There are many events taking place under the north west partnership. Enterprise Ireland has in the North-South context focused on two areas, liaising with cross-Border bodies such as the Ireland Fund, Joint Business Council and, increasingly, Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland on specific project issues. This has been very effective, as has been the Seventh Framework Programme on funding. The Students Enterprise Award and All-Ireland Innovation Voucher schemes have been effective in terms of a sharing of resources. A huge level of funding is being provided through INTERREG and the Peace Fund, which funding has benefited companies on both sides.

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