As many as 8 per cent of Irish small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners are planning to sell their companies in 2006, according to a Bank of Ireland survey published today.
The survey's results also indicate that a further 9 per cent intended to retire and transfer ownership to a family member this year.
Accounting firm Deloitte & Touche says that many entrepreneurial businesses that were formed during the 1980s are now reaching maturity.
Strong corporate cash earnings and the availability of bank funding combined with low levels of interest and low capital gains tax rates are considered to be factors in creating interest in the market.
Business disposal activity in the Irish market is also fuelled by the presence of international buyers, high net worth individuals and strong management buy-in candidates.
In terms of sectors, Bank of Ireland identified leisure and retail SMEs as the most likely to sell, while agri and business services are more likely to transfer business ownership.
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