The size of the market

Cross-border trade is currently valued at c€3bn so substantial opportunities exist but many small businesses quite simply just don’t have the time, resources or knowledge about where to start. InterTradeIreland’s recent Business Monitor results (Q1 2015) reported that the key barrier to cross-border trade is management and financial resources.


InterTradeIreland offers SMEs a range of supports to tackle some of these issues. 

• These include A Simple Guide to Cross Border Business which is often the first point of reference for any firm that is planning or implementing a strategy to enter the cross-border market. It offers up-to-date, user-friendly and comprehensive information on legal, tax and banking issues and it is FREE.

• For those questions not covered, InterTradeIreland has a Trade Accelerator Voucher worth €1,200/£1,000 for business advice to deal with cross-border issues.

• The Elevate sales development programme can help small businesses develop sales opportunities through first time cross-border exports.  Assisting micro-businesses in particular, InterTradeIreland has an expert panel of almost 100 consultants offering specific expertise to identify and capitalise on the significant cross-border sales opportunities that exist on our doorstep. Consultancy time with a value of €6,000/£5,000 is available to SMEs for identifying sales leads in the cross-border market, negotiating deals, sharing relevant market insights, identifying market research requirements and offering advice on the development of marketing materials.  

• For more established businesses looking to explore export options within the island, our sales programme, Acumen, can help SMEs fund key sales and marketing personnel in the cross-border territory and offers match funding up to €18,750/£15,000.