Minister Kelleher announces country-wide series of business finance seminars for SMEs

Minister for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher today (Wednesday) launched a series of eight business finance seminars to assist SMEs to gain greater understanding of financial, employment, tax and business supports information to manage and grow their business.

Launching the seminars, Minister Kelleher said: “Our priority in Government is to make sure that the operating environment for the SME sector works effectively for them, allowing them to get on with the job of growing their business, winning new sales and increasing employment.

Organised by Enterprise Ireland, the Small Firms Association, IBEC, the Irish Taxation Institute and the County Enterprise Boards, the seminars will be held at locations across the country from Monday 24^th May to Friday 4^th June 2010.

The seminars will coincide with European SME Week, which will see a host of entrepreneurship and business events taking place country-wide from 25 May to 1 June.

‘These finance seminars are all about assisting businesses gain a greater understanding of financial and taxation information, business development supports and employment initiatives’.
’These areas can be confusing for many firms as they are often unsure of where to access relevant information; what form of funding, employment or tax incentives might be available to them or the process involved in accessing and applying for funding or tax reliefs.

‘At the Seminars businesses will also have an opportunity to network with other business people who are dealing with similar issues across all sectors and markets, and to engage with business experts, in their own locality,’ said Minister Kelleher.

Eamonn May, Department Manager Investment Services, Enterprise Ireland, welcoming the initiative, said: “This series of seminars is an important opportunity for SMEs to hear about the full range of information and supports that are available to help them deal with the issues that have a real impact on how they can effectively manage and grow their business.

‘Whether it is starting or expanding a business, accessing funding, improving competitiveness, exploring new product or market opportunities – right across the spectrum of business activities, there is support available.”

Avine McNally, Acting Director, Small Firms Association said: “In an increasingly challenging and competitive environment for SMEs it has never been more important for owner-managers, to have every possible advantage in ensuring the survival and growth of their business.

‘With one in five small businesses in Ireland not getting enough credit, it is vital that they are given every assistance in understanding the financial, taxation and grant information as well as employment subsidies that they may avail of.”

Minister Kelleher acknowledged the huge challenges that the SME’s face, particularly in relation to access to credit. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to taking the necessary actions to get credit flowing.

The series schedule and more information on the seminars are available on www.sfa.ie/events

ENDS\TC436

For further information, please contact: Avine McNally, Acting Director, SFA. Tel: +353 1 6051633, Email: avine.mcnally@sfa.ie

Roisin McCann, Press Officer, Dept. of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Tel + 353 1 6312222, Mob: + 353 87 2594144

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Reservations can be made free of charge on www.sfa.ie/events or LoCall: 1890 546 546. At each venue, personnel from each of the partners will be available for interview.

Schedule of Events

Monday 24 May - Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford

Tuesday 25 May - Radisson Blu SAS, Cork

Wednesday 26 May - Clarion Hotel, Limerick

Friday 28 May - Enterprise Ireland, East Point, Dublin

Monday 31 May - Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Tuesday 1 June - Crowne Plaza, Dundalk, Co Louth

Wednesday 2 June - Radisson Blu Hotel Galway

Thursday 3 June - Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath

ENDS\