Firms across the island are reporting a better than expected close to 2022. InterTradeIreland’s latest All-island Business Monitor (Q4 2022) reveals that despite high inflation, firms finished the year on a more positive note than expected.

Martin Robinson, InterTradeIreland’s Director of Strategy says, “This is the largest survey of its type and last quarter we saw a positive increase across all the key indicators. However, we would need to see the results for the next quarter or two to get a better sense of whether this may be the start of a sustained uplift. We must bear in mind that the findings are set against a very complicated geopolitical backdrop at present.”

InterTradeIreland's Digital Sales programme is pleased to announce two new supports for SMEs looking to develop their cross-border digital sales capability and to implement digital marketing and e-commerce strategies.

The new Digital Sales Advanced supports will help eligible businesses achieve long-term export goals through digital and e-commerce solutions. A range of support modules will be offered, in addition to providing 20 days of fully funded consultancy support to businesses across a range of contemporary digital disciplines.

Free Digital Sales Webinars will take place throughout March on key digital topics and emerging themes. The two hour sessions will provide valuable information and guidance for businesses wishing to develop their digital skills in areas such as 'Using Meta (Facebook) Ads to Reach New Markets' and 'Converting High Intent Customers Using Google Search Ads'.

We were delighted to welcome Social Enterprise NI and Social Enterprise ROI (SERI) to the InterTradeIreland offices recently to discuss opportunities for cross-border collaboration and our commitment to growing the Social Enterprise sector. 

Social enterprises have an important leadership role to play in the development of the economy in Ireland and Northern Ireland and the changing economic landscape is re-affirming the critical role that the sector plays and will continue to play in delivering regional, sustainable socio-economic growth.

Through InterTradeIreland social enterprises in the manufacturing and tradable services sectors can access support to help them scale up and extend their reach in the opposite jurisdiction.

InterTradeIreland understands that developing new cross-border markets and customers can be tough for many businesses, and finding the right sales person to deliver growth on the ground is crucial. That’s why our sales export programme, Acumen, is now offering increased funding to assist businesses to explore the cross-border market.

The programme will fund up to £17,250/€21,562 towards the salary of an experienced salesperson who can open up your business to new customers, new revenue streams and new sustainable income, while reducing the risk of investing in a new sales resource and a new market. The programme provides direct support to recruit the right person as well as help your business to develop a winning sales plan for the cross-border market. 

The SEAI Energy Academy is hosting an ‘Introduction to Energy Management’ workshop on Thursday 2nd March to enable SMEs registered in Ireland to implement an effective energy action plan to improve energy performance through basic techniques and steps - the first step for any business starting their energy efficiency journey. 

The FREE online sessions, run by experienced trainers, will help businesses to: understand and commit to energy management, create an energy action plan outlining their energy targets, take action to reduce energy use and review performance and results. 

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) is pleased to announce that in partnership with the Regional Enterprise Planning Groups, it is facilitating a review to improve public procurement of the current marketplace. To assist this, they are asking for input from SMEs registered in Ireland, to complete a survey that will support and assist on the current baseline. The survey will take no longer than 10 minutes and closes on 13th March.