Fifteen Fingal businesses get a boost from “E-commerce” grants
€300,000 approved in Fingal for E-Commerce scheme since launch, benefiting 141 small businesses
More and more small Fingal businesses are selling online, according to the Local Enterprise Office (LEO). In response to the increasing trend towards online selling, 15 Fingal businesses were approved “Trading Online Vouchers” by the Fingal LEO, for funding totalling €31,554. This brings the total approved in Fingal to €300,000 since the scheme was launched in mid-2014.
The goal of the “Trading Online Voucher” Scheme is to enable small businesses to embrace the digital economy and increase sales, exports and ultimately jobs. Under the scheme, vouchers of up to €2,500 are available to small businesses who demonstrate that they have a credible plan to get their business trading online.
Announcing a new call for Trading Online Vouchers, Head of Fingal Local Enterprise Office, Oisín Geoghegan, urged any businesses that want to sell online to attend the next “Trading Online Voucher” information session on Friday 11th November in The Riasc Centre, Swords. “We have approved 40 Online Voucher applications so far in 2016 and over the last two years the total approved exceeds €89,004. This scheme has been a huge help to many small businesses in the region looking to progress into the digital economy. ”
A report published by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Denis Naughten, T.D., highlights the critical importance that Businesses offer a digital solution to their clients in addition to traditional methods. The report says that Irish consumers spend around €850,000 per hour online, 24 hours a day. A figure that is set to increase as the digital economy is expected to grow from 6% (€12.3bn) GDP to 7.9% (€21.4bn) GDP by 2020.
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid highlighted the importance of investing in web technology: “Shopping patterns have been revolutionised in recent years and the upsurge in online shopping is set to continue in the coming years. This presents vast opportunities to our local businesses. It is vital that we provide the right support mechanisms to enable small businesses to compete in this arena”.
Further information about the Trading Online Voucher scheme is available through the Fingal LEO website: www.localenterprise.ie/Fingal.
The next “Trading Online Voucher” information session is on Friday 11th November 2016 at the Riasc Centre, Swords.