With a national Small Business Strategy, Ireland’s 245,000 small businesses can create 25,500 new jobs in 2019, reinvigorate towns and villages around the country and make a significant contribution to the Irish economy. This according to research carried out by the Small Firms Association (SFA).

Domestic economic growth in 2019 is likely to be close to 4.5% and SFA members see this as the biggest opportunity for their business in the coming year, despite the external backdrop. Two thirds of SFA member companies plan to take on additional staff and the Association estimate that together small businesses will create 25,500 jobs in 2019.

The SFA is calling for the introduction and implementation of a national Small Business Strategy for Ireland. This initiative is calling on government to target the development of small business across all regions with just as much energy and strategic focus as they have put on attracting FDI from the 1950s to the present day.

In her end of year statement, Chair of the Small Firms Association (SFA), Sue O’Neill said, "In the run-up to Brexit it is to be expected that small firms will be more cautious regarding investment decisions until there is more certainty of what the final relationship between the EU and UK will look like."

She added, "The SFA urges the EU and UK Government to make every effort for a decision on the Brexit withdrawal agreement. While a ‘no-deal’ outcome remains unlikely, the SFA calls on the Irish Government to step up preparedness planning by putting in additional measures to support small firms respond to such an outcome."

Source: www.businessworld.ie