BELFAST BRIEFING:NEW ROADS, new political institutions and a new mindset mean the distance between Belfast and Dublin is getting smaller every year - especially when it comes to doing business.

Latest research from InterTradeIreland shows that cross-Border trade has grown from an estimated €2.6 billion in 2002 to €3.1 billion last year.

Despite the current downturn in the economic climate, it has never been easier for businesses in the North to trade with their counterparts in the South and vice-versa. In fact, according to the chairman of InterTradeIreland, the body set up to promote cross-Border trade, depending on where you are sitting there has never been a better time to look North or South to grow your business.

David Dobbin believes the downturn in some sectors and the impact of the credit crunch could create new opportunities for companies based in Ireland. "There is literally a market on their doorsteps and, if they are having problems because of the weakness of sterling or the strength of the euro, perhaps they can source a better option across the Border.

"There are many more opportunities for companies whether they are based in Northern Ireland or the South to outsource on the island now. They can create a net benefit for each other. There are definitely business opportunities there to be explored."

Dobbin is very aware that the environment in which InterTradeIreland operates today is very different from the one which existed when the organisation was first established.

InterTradeIreland was set up as one of the six originally planned cross-Border bodies under the Good Friday Agreement. Back then the concept of promoting cross-Border trade was not only alien but also slightly distasteful in some quarters in Northern Ireland.

Dobbin says InterTradeIreland had no choice but to play a "pioneering" role during its early years to convince both individuals and companies to get on board in establishing more cross-Border business.

"InterTradeIreland has moved from operating in a more political dimension to a purely economic driven role. We operate in a very different climate today. From an external perspective, there is now a lot of competition from the likes of the Far East and Eastern Europe and the global economy is of course going through a period of great upheaval. There is also the fact that there is a very different situation in terms of the Government of Northern Ireland now and there is a much more healthy relationship between the two jurisdictions," he says.

But if the playing field has changed so dramatically at home since InterTradeIreland was first set up, is there still a need for a publicly-funded body like it today?

According to Dobbin, who has enjoyed a number of high-profile roles in the food, drink and packaging sectors and is currently group chief executive of United Diary Farmers, the rationale for maintaining InterTradeIreland is straightforward.

"There has never been a more opportune time to look at how we do business from an all-island perspective. There is a new dynamic in place now, we have a similar culture North and South and companies need to take advantage of opportunities that they might just not be seeing at the moment," Dobbin said.

"InterTradeIreland is not about duplicating what other agencies North or South or doing. It is about complementing their roles and creating wealth for everyone on the island by promoting economic co-operation and taking out barriers to trade."

According to Dobbin, InterTradeIreland is currently "reviewing its mandate". He says the organisation is carrying out a strategic review of what its future mission should be.

"We are determined to deliver a benefit to taxpayers North and South. We are not a complacent organisation - we exist to make a difference," Dobbin states.

The simple way to do this, according to him, is to get more companies North and South to open their eyes to the potential benefits of cross-Border trade.

"I am very keen to do what I can to help businesses right across the island see the opportunities which exist right now.

"This is a win-win situation for businesses; the North does not succeed at the expense of the South - or the reverse.

"The simple fact is that InterTradeIreland wants to help companies and firms grow their businesses across the entire island so that everyone benefits," he says.

Dobbin points to scenarios where the North can help alleviate the "over-heating" factor in some industries in the South by providing a ready pool of available talent. He says the North has a great deal to learn about how the South grew its economy and established critical mass in certain industries.

He believes InterTradeIreland still earns its money because it acts as an intelligence-gatherer - about what is happening on both sides of the Border - but it is also in a unique position to provide an encompassing view of what needs to be done next.

"We are seeing a slowdown in Northern Ireland and the Republic but by encouraging and identifying opportunities for more cross-Border trade we could actually come up with new ways of maintaining the momentum in both economies.

"InterTradeIreland exists to drive these opportunities, to promote greater co-operation between North and South, and to inform and signpost the way for government to promote greater cross-Border trade," Dobbin said.