ICCUSA calls for trade expansion

The Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce recently agreed to expand cooperation and services to business members of both groups.

The agreement was signed at a recent week-long trade mission in Ireland attended by representatives of both organizations.

“As a result of these landmark agreements members of our Chamber and those in Ireland will enjoy reciprocal benefits,” said ICCUSA president Patrick J. Keogh.

The agreement means the two organizations will coordinate over trade leads, commercial inquiries and other activities which assist in developing opportunities in both regions.

Jim Ruane, president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said the agreement pointed to the “increasing interdependence of national economies.”

In Belfast, a similar agreement was signed with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Said the NICCI director, John Stringer: “Many companies in Northern Ireland are seeking to establish a presence in U.S. marketplace. This new relationship with ICCUSA will be of great value to them.”

Each of the chambers now plans to create working committees to meet on a regular basis to coordinate programs and projects, representatives said.

Exchange looks beyond Ireland

The Irish Stock Exchange is expected to forge a formal link with the French stock market by next year, an alliance that could provide a Europe-wide listing and presence for all the financial and industrial companies listed on the Irish stock market, the Irish Times reported recently.

A stock exchange executive, Tom Healy, did not comment on the link-up with Paris, but he confirmed that the exchange has been looking at possible links with several European markets, including those in France, Spain and Scandinavia.

A pan-European Top 300 proposed in the alliance between London and Frankfurt would benefit only a very small number of Irish companies. The FTSE Eurotop 300 currently includes only three Irish companies — AIB, Bank of Ireland and CRH — and excludes companies such as Smurfit, Kerry and Irish Life.

The paper reports that market sources believe that it is crucial that the ISE forges links with a major European market like Paris when EMU becomes a reality.

Microsoft awards Moss

Moss Technology has become the fifth Irish organization to achieve Microsoft Certified Solution Provider Partner(MCSPP) status, the Examiner newspaper reported recently.

The award means a company has passed Microsoft exams which prove employees have certified skills and have the ability to deploy those skills. Qualified firms must have four system developers who have qualifications in Microsoft language, in particular C++.

Four other Irish firms are expected to receive the certification in the next nine months, according to Microsoft Ireland. This shows the high standard of technical employees in Irish firms, and is above the global average for accreditation, the paper reported.

“Our investment of time and resources into training our people to achieve the Partner accreditation from Microsoft is a clear indication to our customers that we are dedicated to delivering a quality service,” a spokesman for Moss Technology said.

“We supply support to over 20,000 computer systems on a daily basis, with this accreditation we can now offer those customers a higher level of expertise and skilled personnel,” he said.

The Dublin-based Moss Technology was incorporated in 1983, has an office in Cork and employs 72 people.

Virgin Express to move to Ireland

Virgin Express, the Europe-based low-cost airline, plans to move to Ireland to escape Belgium’s high labor costs and what the company believes is excessive government and union interference.

The Irish Times business section reported recently Belgium’s second biggest airline is applying for an Irish air operator’s certificate, which would allow it to transfer its headquarters and employment contracts to Ireland, while continuing to fly most of its scheduled services out of Brussels.

Virgin Express is not the only Belgian airline seeking to avoid the country’s high charges and taxes. Sabena, the nation’s largest carrier, recently warned it was considering moving to Switzerland. Virgin Express expects to receive its Irish operator’s license in November, after which it would be free to relocate.