Northern Ireland has a long way to go before it can catch up with the growth of the Republic, but partnership between the two could be beneficial to both as the Republic's economy approaches its limits.
Speaking to Dublin Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Mr Owen Lamont, president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and managing director of NTL Ireland, said that e-commerce will bring the biggest change in our commercial lives since the Industrial Revolution. Mr Lamont said that the Republic is well positioned to become the centre for it in Europe, with the Government's visionary policies, and an English speaking workforce and talented workforce.
"We didn't buy Cablelink simply because we thought we were big boys buying extra pieces for our train set . . . but inextricably linked with our decision was the knowledge that Ireland has the ability to become the hub of e-commerce in Europe. It's the Government's dream. It's our dream."
Mr Lamont said the "Ulster pussycat" had a long way to go to catch up with the "Celtic Tiger" but that with political stability and an agreement in the North, the state could emulate the Republic's success". "You can't get enough people to fill the jobs that are available, you're highly competitive in all the 21st century industries, nobody can afford to buy a house because the economy is so strong and petrol's so cheap they'll soon be giving it away. We could have all those problems, too, if only we had political stability," he added.
Mr Lamont said that its generally accepted that the economy of the Republic will eventually become a victim of its own success, with growth bringing its own difficulties. "The answer is, I believe, to let the North shoulder some of the burden. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to steal your lunch, nor do I want to sound as if we're looking for scraps from the southern table. . . What I'm saying is that there are many partnerships that can be forged. Business knows no boundaries, particularly when e-commerce is involved. "
He said the North had well educated energetic workforce but that more people needed to move faster to keep up with the pace of developments and with technology than they were doing at the moment.
"I hope we can take on some more of the Republic's `can do' attitude. It's vitally important that more businesses in Northern Ireland take the plunge and get themselves online."
Mr Lamont said Ireland had everything it took to be a world leader in the e-mail developments of the future and said that e-commerce was one area where the two parts of Ireland could work together without ruffling any political feathers.
