Newly Appointed Minister Visits InterTradeIreland

The newly appointed Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with Special Responsibility for ODA, Trade Promotion and North / South cooperation Seán Sherlock TD visited the offices of InterTradeIreland in Newry last week.

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The meeting was arranged through the North / South Ministerial Council and Minister Sherlock heard from the Senior Management Team at InterTradeIreland on current economic indicators in relation to Cross-Border Trade and also about the range of business supports available to SMEs on the island, North and South.

Minister Sherlock was on his first visit North following his appointment as a Minister of State with special responsibility for North South Cooperation and for Trade Promotion. The Minister, who also visited the offices of the North South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh, said:

“The value of cross-border trade is currently worth over €2.5 billion and InterTradeIreland’s support for small dynamic companies is crucial in growing that figure further. Experience in cross-border trade is a stepping stone for companies seeking to export from this island. I applaud the work of InterTradeIreland in job creation in SMEs and in supporting new opportunities for business to reach out North or South, and to grow their business beyond these shores. I believe there are significant additional opportunities for InterTradeIreland to expand and grow in terms of North South cooperation, job creation and economic recovery”

Aidan Gough, InterTradeIreland Strategy and Policy Director said ““We are delighted to welcome Minister of State, Seán Sherlock to InterTradeIreland at such an early stage in his new role with special responsibility for North / South Co-operation.   This important meeting allowed us to highlight the wide range of cross-border opportunities that InterTradeIreland help small and medium sized businesses from across the island grasp, through our  suite of initiatives, from Innovation support, to helping businesses increase their sales, access public procurement markets or access new equity and business angel funds. These benefits are substantial, with over 6,000 SME’s having been supported by InterTradeireland, generating almost €1bn euro of added business value with an impact on employment  of over 3,000 jobs to date.”

InterTradeIreland helps SMEs across the island by offering practical cross-border business funding, information, advice and support. 

For more information go to www.intertradeireland.com