29th September 2014
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton, T.D. and the Minister for Business and Employment, Mr Ged Nash, T.D. today welcomed the start of European SME Week which takes place from today until next Sunday (Monday 29th September- Sunday, 5th October 2014).
Supports available to gain access to new markets in the European Union
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton, T.D. and the Minister for Business and Employment, Mr Ged Nash, T.D. today welcomed the start of European SME Week which takes place from today until next Sunday (Monday 29th September- Sunday, 5th October 2014).
Present at the launch was Mr John Clarke of ID Technology. ID Technology is a SME manufacturing company that specialises in bespoke printing solutions across a number of diverse sectors including telecoms, ICT and medical/pharmaceutical.
European SME Week is coordinated by the European Commission and promotes enterprise across Europe in line with the Small Business Act for Europe. It takes place in 37 countries, so events and activities- national, regional or local- will be as close as possible to existing and potential entrepreneurs.
One of the areas the Small Business Act covers is providing supports to SMEs so that they can gain access to new opportunities in the Single Market. The starting point for many SMEs can be contacting the Single Point of Contact in the country that they may wish to do business in.
Commenting at the launch of European SME Week Minister Bruton said:
“I welcome the start of European SME Week and I am delighted to meet John Clarke, Managing Director from ID Technology. John and his company have shown the opportunities that can be grasped in the Single Market by Irish SMEs. While the domestic economy is beginning to improve we must work hard to ensure that our SMEs are aware of the supports that are available to them in order to gain access to new markets and opportunities. The increased exports won by ID Technology lay testament to this and now account for 70% of the company’s turnover.”
“ID Technology should be seen as a success story that other Irish SMEs could follow in seeking access and gaining opportunities in the single market. ID Technology now has customers based in Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany and the UK. I would encourage Irish SMEs seeking out opportunities in the single market to make contact with Enterprise Ireland or the Single Point of Contact in the country that they wish to gain access to. In this way they can learn more about the supports that are available as they seek to expand their business and create the jobs we need”
Minister Nash added:
“During European SME Week 2014 I would encourage SMEs, entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs to use the week to engage with their Local Enterprise Office. There are a number of supports available across the country that will help you to start a business or improve your business performance. If anyone doubts the outcome of seeking such supports, they need look no further than the success of John and ID Technology, a company that started out locally in my own constituency in Drogheda which now has a global reach covering Europe, North America, China and Mexico. I would also encourage all SMEs, at whatever stage of development, to check out the online ‘Supporting SMEs Online Tool’ which documents over 80 supports available to SMEs across over 27 Government Departments and Agencies.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
ID technology
ID Technology has received extensive support from the State through Enterprise Ireland. This support has been crucial in ensuring that this small printing company in the North East was in a position to expand its horizons into diverse markets such as Europe, North America, China and Mexico.
European SME week
Co-ordinated by the European Commission, this campaign promotes enterprise across Europe in line with the Small Business Act for Europe.
It is taking place in 37 countries, so events and activities- national, regional or local- will be as close as possible to existing and potential entrepreneurs.
The European SME Week aims to:
· provide information on what the EU and national, regional and local authorities are offering as support to micro, small and medium sized businesses;
· promote entrepreneurship so that more people, and in particular younger ones, seriously consider becoming an entrepreneur as a career option;
· give recognition to entrepreneurs for their contribution to Europe’s welfare, jobs, innovation and competitiveness.
The main event will take place together with the SME Assembly and the European Enterprise Promotion Awards Ceremony on 1-3 October 2014 in Naples, Italy.
Further information on:
European SME Week
ec.europa.eu/enterprise/initiatives/sme-week/
ID Technology
www.idtech.ie/
Events taking place for European SME Week
ec.europa.eu/enterprise/intsub/sme-week/index.cfm?fuseaction=sme.viewmap_osm&lng=en
Enterprise Ireland
www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/
Single Point of Contact
ec.europa.eu/internal_market/eu-go/index_en.htm
Local Enterprise Office Website
www.localenterprise.ie/
Supporting SME Tool
www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Supporting-SMEs-Online-Tool/
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