A cross-border project to ensure that businesses in the north-west do not lose out in the digital era has been given £600,000 from the British and Irish governments.
The funding will be used to assess the impact the information age will have on the region and on identifying ways the north-west can benefit from opportunities offered by new technology.
The Digital Economy Project will be run by Lifford-based ERNACT, which was set up in 1990 by Derry City Council and Donegal County Council. ERNACT's general manager, Mr Colm McColgan, said the focus would be on job-creating sectors and trying to grow new hitech ventures and attract inward investment. It also aims to safeguard existing jobs. "If businesses in Donegal and Derry do not face up to the challenge of the information age, then they are going to lose out in the long term," he said.
"It is estimated that 90 per cent of the jobs people will have in 30 years' time have not even been invented yet," Mr McColgan said, so it was vital to be aware of new developments and the possibilities offered by information technology.
He said it was hoped that a further u £10 million of European funding could be secured for flagship projects arising from the Digital Economy Project.
An increase in cross-Border links is also expected as technology and business parks in the north-west will be networked into one digital corridor.
The project will assess the impact electronic commerce is likely to have on retailing and on small and medium enterprises, and how bodies such as local authorities and health boards can use electronic communication. Third-level colleges, development agencies and local authorities will all be involved.