EU could facilitate North/South trade

The EU should do more to encourage cross-Border trade and co-operation between firms, the IBEC/CBI Joint Business Council (JBC) has said.

The organisation said "little progress has been achieved" under cross-Border initiatives agreed as part of EU structural funds between 1994 and 1999.

It called for a "specific cross-Border programme to be established for the next round of EU structural funds in the period 2000 to 2006". Its suggestions are included in a document published yesterday.

It suggests the EU could become involved in a joint energy policy with the aim of developing electricity and natural gas infrastructures. "This would help maximise the opportunities for cross-Border energy trading," it said.

The JBC called for common standards and accreditation to be established in the tourism sector throughout Ireland. Air and sea services should be expanded on an agreed basis to encourage the sector, it added.

The group said the EU could do more work on environmental issues in Ireland. "This could lead to a common strategy for environmental protection", it said.

In relation to education, the JBC called for mutual recognition of qualifications in Northern Ireland and the Republic and greater co-operation between respective training bodies.

"We would like to see an end to the practice of surface mail between the two jurisdictions being charged at international rates, a practice that is an impediment to business," it said.