ISME call for business-friendly budget

Small and medium business leaders are appealing to the Minister for Finance to announce a business-friendly budget next month.

The chief executive of the small and medium enterprise association, ISME, says Charlie McCreevy's budget should stimulate business to make the most of the expected upturn in the global economy.

"The Minister must really recognise the vital role that small and medium businesses are playing in the community and we would ask him to look at the investment side of things.

"In other words what we're asking for is increased investment in research and development and increased investment in training."