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Thirteen companies have been recognised as InterTradeIreland Business Ambassadors for Dublin at a special event held with Minister Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on Wednesday 1st June in Dublin.

Over 80 TDs and Senators were also in attendance at the event which recognised SMEs that have excelled through North-South trade and innovation.

Nominated as ambassadors for Dublin were Enterprise Imaging Systems from Blanchardstown, Kinesense, Rococo software and Barracuda FX for the city, SOTA Orthopaedics from Malahide, County Crest based in Lusk, Killarney Crystal from Blackrock, Weddingsonline.ie from Swords, Santry company Impedans, Renley Ltd from Walkinstown, Gem Pack from Mulhuddard as well as Biosensia and Sigmoid Pharma, both based in UCD.

Mr Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation commented, 'Government does not create jobs, people and businesses do', and the role of government is to create an environment in which those businesses can prosper. I am determined to do everything I can to reduce costs, improve access to finance and encourage innovation so those good businesses can expand and create the jobs that our economy and society so badly need. If there is one thing Ireland - north and south - does not lack it is enterprising, creative, hardworking people, and I look forward to working with them to discuss what government and small business together can do to get people back to work'.

Over 65 companies from across Ireland attended the event with government representatives, including Ministers of State, TDs and Senators. Local representatives in attendance on the day included Joe Costello TD, Paschal Donohoe TD, Maureen O'Sullivan TD, Brendan Ryan TD, Terence Flanagan TD, Peter Matthews TD, Olivia Mitchell TD and Senators Catherine Noone and Mary White.

The group of InterTradeIreland Business Ambassadors were also invited to meet President Mary McAleese at an exclusive reception at Aras an Uachtarain to make their achievements, where she described the companies as 'Champions of the future and leaders of change.'

Also speaking at the event, InterTradeIreland Chairman Dr David Dobbin said: 'We have supported companies right across Ireland, in every county and constituency and we are extremely proud of the examples of enterprise and innovation that are represented by our group of InterTradeIreland Business Ambassadors. We hope that through highlighting the achievements of successful local SMEs, we will inspire other businesses from across Dublin to take advantage of cross-border trade and collaboration opportunities.'

Since 2003, InterTradeIreland has helped more than 16,500 companies with cross-border information and services and supported over 2,000 SMEs through its trade and innovation programmes. As a result, in excess of €610 million worth of business value been generated including that from current projects still to complete. In addition, over 930 jobs have been created or sustained through its programmes. For every €1 invested in InterTradeIreland, it provides a ten-fold return in business development value.