ESRI Policy Seminar: “Access to Finance for Growth for SMEs: A North/South Perspective"
Venue: ESRI, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2
Speakers: Eoin Magennis, Aidan Gough, InterTradeIreland The seminar will cover the findings and recommendations from a recent report by InterTradeIreland which offers a unique North/South perspective on the supply and demand for finance for SMEs and the quality and flow of funding information across the island. More specifically, the report provides, for the first time, a reliable indication of bank funding data for SMEs in the Northern Ireland market, the absence of which to date has seriously curtailed the ability of policy makers to respond to the needs of Northern Ireland’s business community. In addressing the wider finance for growth market the report also seeks to widen the debate from an important but narrow focus on the supply of and demand for bank finance to a broader, more comprehensive discussion on the availability and use of appropriate financial instruments to support and drive growing SMEs. Finally, the report addresses the deficiencies in financial literacy and capability within both SMEs and financial providers, a common challenge across the island and one which offers opportunities for cross-learning.
Download the report at: InterTradeIreland