News & Events

Published on: Wednesday 10 October 2007

Recent figures show the opportunities for cross border trade are increasing. According to recent research, two out of every five (41%) business in Ireland are now involved in cross border trade. To facilitate businesses on the island make the most of these opportunities, InterTradeIreland / MicroTrade have published 'A Simple Guide to Cross-Border Business'

Julie Jordan (IntertradeIreland), Vincent Reynolds (Cavan County Enterprise Board), Brian McAuley (Dungannon Enterprise Centre) and Breanndan Casey (MicroTrade) with the Guide at MicroTrades "Overcoming the Competitiveness Challenge" Engineering Event, Sept '07

The guide, developed as part of the InterTradeIreland / MicroTrade initiative, provides companies with basic advice when exploring the potential for cross-border business. The guide provides information relating to the tax, legal and financial obligations and implications on businesses operating on an all-island basis.

"InterTradeIreland's mission is to deliver a globally competitive all-island economy", said Aidan Gough, Strategy and Policy Director, InterTradeIreland. "Part of doing this will be to increase the number and value of all-island linkages and our research shows that over a third (36%) of all businesses on the island are planning to develop these links. This new guide offers the answer to most of the questions that companies have when thinking about developing an all-island business."

"MicroTrade deals solely with companies who have less than ten employees and often do not have the experienced personnel or time to research cross-border issues", said Breanndán Casey, Project Manager of the MicroTrade programme . "I have been able to direct company queries to the guide and the response has been tremendous. There is often a legitimate apprehension of the unknown amongst micro-enterprises, but this guide has enabled companies to address those questions in a simple and user-friendly manner".

'A Simple Guide to Cross-Border Business' provides information for companies exploring opportunities across the border by offering them an accessible, easy to use publication with signposting to additional detailed resources. The Guide was compiled in association with FPM Chartered Accountants, Morgan McManus Solicitors and Northern Bank's Treasury Service.

Copies of the publication are available from InterTradeIreland at 0044 (0)28 3083 4100.

The Guidelines are also accessible here on the MicroTrade website.