SFA: Use budget to encourage competitiveness

The Small Firms Association is calling on Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy to use December's budget to foster competitiveness.

The SFA says 2003 will be a critical year for the creation of jobs - while over 20,000 were lost this year alone.

It says, a reduction in public spending is absolutely critical.

SFA Director Pat Delaney says the creation of a low inflation environment is the key.