A Derry telemarketing centre had nearly doubled its workforce after winning new financial service clients outside the North, it was announced today.

FEARS about the economy did not halt entrepreneurial activity in Ireland last year, with one in 12 Irish adults planning or starting a business.

A call centre based in the North has announced plans to create around 100 new jobs in Belfast.

ALMOST 3,000 new companies are established here every month, helping Ireland to the top of a European list for business start-ups.

A Northern call centre is recruiting another 500 people over the next two months.

New call centre contracts in Belfast are expected to create 300 extra jobs this autumn.

Kieran McDaid, PA

Irish people are the second most likely in Europe to set up their own business, according to a major study released today.

IRELAND has moved into the top 10 in the world's quality of life league for the first time - but the country remains one of the most unequal societies of all wealthy western nations.

WAYNE Rooney may not have the looks of David Beckham or the talent of Pele, but his marketing potential now ranks with the elite.

Ireland is now the most entrepreneurially active country in the EU and to the fore in Europe as a whole, according to the Irish Report of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor for 2003.

Sabio has implemented Ireland's first Cisco Ip-based call management solution for Gem, the Belfast-based outsourced CRM provider.

Share prices closed the morning lower tracking the overnight falls on Wall Street amid caution in the lead up to the first anniversary of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks next week, dealers said.

Shares prices closed lower in cautious trade, with Wall Street's overnight performance seen as a mere short-term rebound rather than indicating a genuine improvement in sentiment, dealers said.

Share prices closed the morning lower in listless trade, with investors waiting for the outcome of the US FOMC meeting tomorrow and the interim results announcement from China Mobile on Wednesday, dealers said.

Share prices were lower after Wall Street's decline, but off their lows with H-shares outperforming, amid general investor caution towards the weekend, dealers said.