Trade and Business JC 28 September 2001

1. The fifth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in its Trade and Business Development Sectoral Format was held at the InterTradeIreland offices in Newry on Friday 28 September 2001. The meeting dealt with issues relating to the Trade and Business Development Body, InterTradeIreland, which is one of the six North/South Implementation Bodies.

2. The Northern Ireland Executive Delegation comprised Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, who chaired the meeting, and Dr Seán Farren MLA, Minister of Employment and Learning. Ms Mary Harney, TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment represented the Irish Government.

3. The Chairperson of InterTradeIreland, Dr Martin Naughton, and the Chief Executive, provided the Council with an oral report on progress to date in taking forward the work of the Body. This included progress in the establishment of the Body, the launch of its first Annual Report and Accounts and the major programmes launched within the 2001 Operating Plan. These included the Equity Network which encompasses an education and awareness programme targeted at the business, business advisory and education communities in relation to the need for, access to and exploitation of equity capital for early-stage business ventures. They also referred to the Knowledge Transfer Initiative with its two cross-border projects - Fusion and Focus. Fusion teams a third level education organisation with a business to help develop new products and processes. Focus teams a business and a graduate to utilise the knowledge of the graduate to drive sales and marketing efforts in the other jurisdiction for the business.

4. The Council noted the report and commended the Board and the staff of InterTradeIreland on the good progress that has been made to date. The Ministers emphasised their vision of InterTradeIreland as an organisation with a critical role to play in promoting co-operation between North and South in terms of trade and business development in a way which will benefit both parts of the island. The Council, noting that InterTradeIreland was now well positioned to face the coming year with full operational capacity, looked forward to delivery by the Body, to the benefit of business on the island as a whole, of a full range of services/activities in 2002 and beyond in keeping with the financial resources placed at their disposal by the two administrations.

Corporate Plan 2002-2004

5. The Council considered and approved InterTradeIreland's Corporate Plan for 2002 to 2004. The plan outlines activities over the coming period along with the associated budget. The plan focuses on two main strategic goals. The first is to increase the quality and quantity of knowledge concerning cross-border trade. This will develop the capability of businesses North and South to engage in such trade. The second strategic goal is to ensure that this improved knowledge and information is made available to those in both jurisdictions involved in decision making regarding cross-border trade. Working with, and through, existing economic development agencies, InterTradeIreland's strategic goals will be translated into a number of activities such as:

A total budget of up to £stg27m. has been provided to cover these activities over the 3 year period.

Draft Equality Scheme

6. InterTradeIreland's Draft Equality Scheme has been revised following a period of public consultation. The Council considered the revised draft and agreed that it should be submitted to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland for approval.

Date of Next Meeting

7. The Council agreed to meet again in this Sectoral Format in the South in December 2001.

Joint Secretariat

28 September 2001