Minister Michael Ahern publishes eBusiness Strategy

"Failure to exploit full potential of new technologies will result in higher costs, missed opportunities, and loss of business" - Minister Ahern

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Michael Ahern, T.D., today (Thursday 30^th December 2004) announced the publication of a new national eBusiness strategy. The aim of this strategy is to assist and encourage SMEs and micro-enterprises, outside of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) related sectors of the economy, to use ICTs in a way that will maximise their competitive advantage.

Announcing the new strategy, Minister Ahern said "virtually all Irish enterprises have access to computers and the Internet. However, we are concerned that they are not deriving the full potential from these technologies. Businesses must now recognise that this as a major competitiveness issue".

"eBusiness is about applying technology to business processes to reduce costs, to improve customer value and to find new markets for products and services. A failure to recognise this will result in higher costs, missed opportunites and loss of business", the Minister cautioned.

"Large private companies and major public sector purchasers are doing more of their purchasing online. If the firms who supply them cannot adapt to this new way of doing business they will lose out to competitors who can and do adapt", the Minister added.

Obstacles to more effective usage of ICTs by SMEs and micro-enterprises identified in the work on developing the strategy include, lack of appreciation amongst owners/managers of the contribution that ICTs can make to their business, lack of ICT management skills, lack of time to acquire them, difficulty in accessing independent advice and the costs associated with acquiring and maintaining IT systems.

The strategy contains a series of recommendations for work to be undertaken by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment in conjunction with the enterprise development agencies to help overcome these obstacles. A Working Group is being established to oversee implementation of the recommendations. This Group will be required to submit a report to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment before the end of 2005.

A copy of the report is available at:- http://www.djei.ie/enterprise/support/ebusinessstrategy.htm

ENDS/TC128