Taoiseach launches National Small Business Awards

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has today launched the fourth SFA National Small Business Awards which recognises the vital contribution of the small firms sector to the economy.

Launching the awards, Mr Ahern said he would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution that the small business sector is making to the Republic’s economy. There are some 250,000 small businesses currently operating in the Irish economy.

“In this competitive international economic climate, it is vital that we continue to nurture and grow our indigenous enterprises,” Mr Ahern said.

The Small Firms Association (SFA) is partnered by O2 Ireland and Bank of Ireland Business Banking in presenting the awards.

Sponsorship for individual category awards is being provided by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland).

SFA chairman and chairperson of the judging panel, Pat Crotty, said the awards are fast becoming an important medium for companies to promote their organisations,

“Looking back over the last four years it is great to see how many award winners and indeed finalists have grown their organisations significantly since being involved with the SFA National Small Business Awards.

“Past participants have told me they are still benefiting from the extensive media coverage they received as being part of this programme both nationally and within their own locality which really goes to prove that to get recognised you really need to make the effort to seek attention and indeed the prize,” added Mr Crotty.

Entries for the awards will be accepted up to 5.30pm on Wednesday, October 31, and forms are available online at www.sfa.ie/awards.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper