Irish Small Business Set To Create 25,500 Jobs In 2019

Irish Small Business Set To Create 25,500 Jobs In 2019

by | Jan 3, 2019 | Brexit, Economy, News

Ireland’s 245,000 small businesses can create 25,500 new jobs in 2019 and make a significant contribution to the Irish economy.

Article by Robert McHugh on the Businessworld.ie

With a national Small Business Strategy, Ireland’s 245,000 small businesses can create 25,500 new jobs in 2019, reinvigorate towns and villages around the country and make a significant contribution to the Irish economy. This according to research carried out by the Small Firms Association (SFA).

Domestic economic growth in 2019 is likely to be close to 4.5% and SFA members see this as the biggest opportunity for their business in the coming year, despite the external backdrop. Two thirds of SFA member companies plan to take on additional staff and the Association estimate that together small businesses will create 25,500 jobs in 2019.

The SFA is calling for the introduction and implementation of a national Small Business Strategy for Ireland. This initiative is calling on government to target the development of small business across all regions with just as much energy and strategic focus as they have put on attracting FDI from the 1950s to the present day.

In her end of year statement, Chair of the Small Firms Association (SFA), Sue O’Neill said, “In the run-up to Brexit it is to be expected that small firms will be more cautious regarding investment decisions until there is more certainty of what the final relationship between the EU and UK will look like.”

She added, “The SFA urges the EU and UK Government to make every effort for a decision on the Brexit withdrawal agreement. While a ‘no-deal’ outcome remains unlikely, the SFA calls on the Irish Government to step up preparedness planning by putting in additional measures to support small firms respond to such an outcome.”

Irish Small Firms To Gather At Business Connect 2019

Irish Small Firms To Gather At Business Connect 2019

by | Dec 13, 2018 | Brexit, Economy, News, Uncategorized

It was announced today that the 2019 Small Firms Association’s Business Connect event will take place on Thursday, 7 February 2019 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin 4.  

Article by Robert McHugh on the BusinessWorld.ie
 
At the event, delegates will hear from experts such as Ibec CEO Danny McCoy on the impact of Brexit on small businesses, as well as larger companies such as Abbott on their successful cooperation models with their smaller counterparts. Kingsley Aikins, founder and CEO of The Networking Institute, will speak on the right pitch and how to unlock that deal. 
 
Now in its second year, Business Connect is a marketplace event designed to give delegates a window into the decision making and purchasing processes of Ireland’s leading companies. 
 
Along with informal networking between large and small firms, the 2019 edition of the event will see the introduction of pre-booked facilitated networking sessions between delegates and purchasing decision makers in large organisations. This networking will match purchasers and decision makers in large Irish and Multi-National companies who are actively searching for small firms to provide them with goods and services.
 
The finalists of the SFA National Small Business Awards will exhibit at the event along with awards sponsors and partners. Business Connect 2019 runs from 8am to 3pm with facilitated networking sessions from 2pm-3pm. The event is compered by journalist Richard Curran.
 
Commenting on the 2019 Business Connect event, Chairperson of the Small Firms Association, Sue O’Neill said, “We are really excited about our second Business Connect event. As well as best in class speakers and case studies to help small firms better equip themselves to win contracts and work with large customers, our new facilitated networking sessions will pair suppliers with large companies who are actively seeking their services.”