A £10 million e-business fund to boost the number of Irish companies operating across electronic networks was announced yesterday by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney.
Speaking in Galway, Ms Harney said that e-business was creating dramatic change in the competitive environment Irish companies operate in and offers the potential to radically transform the scale and pace of growth of Irish enterprise.
She said: "The new information and communications technologies enable revolutionary change in how Irish companies can grow business rapidly and profitably."
Ms Harney said relationships with customers, suppliers, and business partners are being redefined by the phenomenon.
The companies approved for funding will act as pilot projects for the industrial sector in which they are involved.
The experience and information they gain on e-business through the programme will then be shared with other companies in the same sector.
Ms Harney said the Enterprise Ireland programme will operate over a two-year time frame. She said it is designed to fast-track significant scale projects that transform existing businesses in manufacturing and international services to electronically trading ones.
The number of companies involved in the scheme will depend on the scale of the projects approved and the initiative is planned to span all sectors of industry.
Enterprise Ireland chief executive, Mr Dan Flinter, said the agency and its client companies had developed an e-business strategy aimed at meeting companies needs.
Along with the fund, an e-business unit is to be established to provide advice and support in developing e-business strategies.
The agency will also set up an e-business Resource Website, www.enterprise-ireland.com/ebusiness, and an e-business telephone Helpline (1850 57 2000).
Mr Flinter said Irish companies are keenly interested in developing an e-strategy and keeping up to date with developments in the area including online marketing, customer relationship management and logistics.
Enterprise Ireland is to launch a national campaign to promote awareness about e-business in the Republic, as well as building International partnerships for companies and organising e-business workshops, seminars and conferences.
