Billy Linehan of Celtar the leading firm of business advisers comments

“we welcome  measures from Enterprise Ireland that will stimulate economic growth. This measure will be judged on it’s accessability to companies AND how well it is designed to meet their needs.”

Targetted at Irish exporting companies, EI should also remember that support for import substitution of goods or services is equally valid.

On Friday 15 May 2009, Hugh Cooney, Chairman of the Board of Enterprise Ireland, said: “Irish exporting companies are our best prospect for trading our way through the recession and that is why we have increased the number of major Trade Missions to fifteen this year in addition to twenty international trade related events. Also we have also established the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund aimed at helping companies to sustain and develop their business during these difficult times.”

Check out http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/AboutUs/Organisation/EI_Tough+economic+times+-+How+we+can+help.htm

“If you find that exporting companies are experiencing pressure on cash flow or facing challenges in the marketplace please encourage them to get in touch with Enterprise Ireland to discuss how the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund can help. We need to sustain our internationally trading companies now and position them for growth when the upturn comes.

“Ireland and Irish companies have to work hard to continue to secure sales in the face of tough markets and increased global competition. In this environment, securing new sales contracts depends on a continued commitment to technology, innovation and the application of knowledge that is unmatched in the markets where we compete.

“I have every confidence in our companies.  They have shown themselves to be remarkably adaptable in the current volatile economic environment. And this will be a crucial factor in sustaining exports and growing new sales in 2009 and beyond.” Hugh Cooney said.