Tánaiste Launches New E-Commerce Company First International Transactions from Ireland's New National Digital Park Top Class Infrastructure Allied to Low Cost Telecommunications Charges are the Key to Development of the Sector

Tánaiste Mary Harney today initiated the first international e-commerce transactions from Ireland's National Digital Park in Citywest in Dublin.

The Tánaiste was launching GloboGift, a new service from an Irish company, International Shopping Events and Enterprises. Using the internet as it's virtual premises, GloboGift allows customers to purchase a Gift Certificate in one country for use in a premium quality department store in the GloboGift network in another country. The destination store issues it's own branded certificate to the recipient in a GloboGift presentation sleeve. The company will employ 6 people initially but this is expected to double early in the new year.

Launching the new service, the Tánaiste said: "E-Commerce transactions are forecast to be worth at least $3 trillion per annum by the year 2003. I am determined that Irish business will be well positioned to reap the rewards from these developments."

The Tánaiste described the launch of an innovative new E-Commerce product, GloboGift, is a prime example of how forward-looking SME's can successfully compete in the global marketplace.

"This Government is taking a pro-active and integrated approach to meeting the challenges presented by the new technologies," said the Tánaiste. "Significant advances have been made in all of the major areas connected with the Information Society agenda. The recent agreement with Global Crossing providing Ireland with international broadband connectivity, the roll-out of broadband infrastructure to over 120 centres throughout the country, and the launch of Ireland's first Digital Park here in Citywest, has put Ireland firmly "on-line" in the E-Commerce development stakes," she said.

The development of a top class telecommunications infrastructure must be accompanied by the low cost telecommunication charges which will accompany emerging competition in the market, something that is agressively promoted by the Government. The Government is also pushing for low-cost internet access for Irish businesses and consumers alike in order to dramatically increase our internet usage levels.

Wishing the company every success with its innovative new product, the Tánaiste concluded: "The National Digital Park, here in Citywest, provides a highly attractive platform for the development of E-Commerce in Ireland. It will serve as a magnet for high quality E-Commerce projects, such as 'GloboGift', which will provide the impetus for Ireland to become a global E-Commerce leader."