smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Enterprise minister Arlene Foster has announced new initiatives will increase entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland and allow firms to expand.

Starting on April 1st, two schemes from Invest Northern Ireland will work to increase the entrepreneurial culture of the country, which is seen as a key element of tackling the current economic downturn.

Foster explains: 'Small local businesses are the lifeblood of our economy ... We therefore need to increase the number of new businesses and support the growth of our existing companies, by helping them to export.'

The Go For It programme is targeted at people who are thinking of starting a new firm and will provide them with skills training, help in developing strategic business plans and support to commercialise their ideas.

In addition, entrepreneurs will have access to more specialist guidance in areas such as branding and website development through a mentorship scheme.

Established businesses will receive help through the Growth Programme, which will increase the potential to sell to export markets through guidance on financial management, marketing, negotiation skills, networking and online sales.

The Welsh Assembly Government launched a similar initiative earlier this month, the Export Assist programme, which offers support to companies looking to enter overseas markets.

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