Trade boost for smallbusinesses

Promoted under the campaign banner of ‘Tradelinks’, the business development programme has received 3m worth of funding from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme to help support the micro enterprise sector.

Tradelinks is a partnership initiative delivered by Enterprise NI, the network of local Enterprise Agencies and the Border County Enterprise Boards, and supports businesses in Banbridge as well as a number of border counties including Louth, Cavan and Sligo.

It is also supported by both governments, through the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The programme aims to assist 550 micro businesses on both sides of the border to identify and address barriers to cross-border trade and development.

Experienced business advisers will work hand-in-hand with business owners to assist them to become more sustainable and competitive with a view to developing cross-border trade opportunities and linkages as well as helping to generate greater added value, earnings and wealth within their local communities.

Speaking about the Programme, Ciaran Cunningham from Banbridge District Enterprises said, “This is the second Tradelinks programme delivered by the LEA/CEB network and we hope that it mirrors the successes of the first programme.

“The quality and the variety of support which we believe Tradelinks offers the micro-enterprise sector is testament to the time, commitment and consideration that has gone into providing a programme which will benefit all those companies participating.”

The Tradelinks Programme will be in operation until June 2012 and is available to any micro enterprise in Northern Ireland or the border counties of the Republic of Ireland. Anyone interested in getting involved should contact their Local Enterprise Agency or County Enterprise Board. Contact details and further programme information can be obtained by visiting www.tradelinks2.com.