CEA staff hail Tradelinks 2 project

The initiative, which was designed to assist and grow the important micro enterprise sector across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal, held a celebration event to mark the end of the programme. The event took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan.

Speaking about the Programme, Jayne Taggart, CEO of Causeway Enterprise Agency said: “This is the second Tradelinks programme delivered by the LEA/CEB network and we are delighted that it mirrored the successes of the first programme.

“The quality and the variety of support which we believe Tradelinks 2 offered the micro-enterprise sector is testament to the time, commitment and consideration that has gone into providing a programme which benefits all those companies who participated.

“Although the economic climate has changed significantly over the last number of years, Tradelinks 2 will have supported the participating companies, including 19 businesses in Coleraine and Moyle, to create 250 plus new jobs, secure over 1200 more jobs and increase sales by £15 million”

Speaking at the event, Pat Colgan, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body, which manages the INTERREG IVA Programme, said: “The Tradelinks 2 programme is an excellent example of an EU supported initiative that has created direct benefits for micro-enterprises on a cross-border basis.

Designed to help overcome many of the challenges faced by business owners, particularly in today’s tough economic landscape, it has enhanced their competitiveness by providing the support and assistance they needed to grow and develop.”