Small businesses hold the key to the future of the country’s economic development and job creation, the Small Firms Association (SFA) has said.
The association maintains while confidence is growing among its members, businesses must also have access to finance.
Chairman Dr Aidan O’Boyle called on the Government to develop an enterprise and jobs support strategy with a national entrepreneurship policy and targeted export growth.
“The small business sector is the real future of this country in terms of our economic development and job creation,” he said.
“This has not been fully acknowledged at political level and now is the time for Government to recognise the key role which small business plays in our economic and social success and to provide the small business sector with the confidence and supportive environment to ensure future success.”
In a statement, Dr O’Boyle highlighted the success of the Lisbon II referendum, the passing of the Nama legislation, and Budget 2010 as key elements on a journey to rebuilding confidence.
“But we firmly believe that the Government must now turn its attention to the enterprise sector and develop a comprehensive enterprise and jobs support strategy early in the New Year,” he said.
“Given the financial constraints it is operating under, it is essential that the Government focuses on where there will be a direct return on investment and that is by supporting small businesses in retaining jobs, rather than relegating those people to the dole queues".
“It’s also about creating a competitive environment that will allow Irish small businesses to compete equally with their counterparts most immediately North of the Border, but around the globe.”
Elsewhere AIB’s Recovery Indicator revealed a slight lift among consumers at end of year.
In a survey of 1,000 adults, three in 10 agreed the economic situation is bad but has stabilised.
Other key findings from the poll showed half of all adults are optimistic in spite of the current economic situation while 56% feel the recession is affecting other people more than themselves.
Another six out of 10 adults agree now is a good time to buy a house and a fifth say they are saving more now because of the recession.
Paying off debt was the priority for 57% of consumers, it added.
PA