FEARS that the Dundalk Newry region would be bypassed as Dublin and Belfast forged economic links have led to the launch of the first cross Border business directory.
The 120 page book is the result of a joint project between the Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency and Chamberlink which represents the chambers of commerce on both sides of the Border. At the launch in the Carrickdale Hotel on the Dundalk Newry road yesterday, Mr John MacMahon, the agency's chairman, said the political and economic Border between the areas is dissolving and the directory is one manifestation of it.
Mr Dermot Ahern, a Louth Fianna Fail TD, said he and Mr Seamus Mallon, the SDLP MP, shared the fear that Dundalk and Newry would be left behind by the economic boom between Dublin and Belfast.
This was one of the reasons for last year's joint conference between the towns, which was jointly chaired by the two politicians and attended by the Northern Secretary, the US ambassador to Ireland and Mr Tony O'Reilly.
Mr Ahern said he hoped the directory would result in extra business for those involved.