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Don’t be left behind - Minister Naughten brings first online trading workshop for businesses to Roscommon

- Industry giants Facebook, Google and SAP to offer expert advice

Minister Denis Naughten has selected Roscommon town as the location for the first in a series of regional trading online workshops for business owners planned to take place across the country over the next 12 months. On Monday 10th October, Minister Naughten and his officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in partnership with Local Enterprise Office Roscommon, will host a workshop for local businesses at the Abbey Hotel. This is a free half day event starting at 10am and running until 2.30pm which is open to businesses who want to learn more about trading online.

“Irish people spend more than €14,000 every minute, that’s €850,000 every hour, 24 hours a day online but less than 1 in 3 small businesses in Ireland are selling online. Smaller businesses, which are the backbone of every town and village, are not engaged in online activity and this is bad for business. Businesses that are not trading online are at risk of being left behind. With up to 70% of Ireland’s annual spend currently going overseas, there is a massive opportunity for Irish business to grow by targeting online shoppers,” stated Minister Naughten.

“The Roscommon workshop is open to any business in Roscommon or the surrounding counties and is an opportunity to be grabbed,” added Minister Naughten. “The workshop will provide local businesses with practical advice and help on how to successfully trade online. They will learn from business owners who have made the switch, and from industry experts from Facebook, Google and one of Europe’s biggest software makers SAP who will all be there,” stated Naughten.

The workshop will also provide details to small business owners on how to apply for a trading online voucher. The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is being spearheaded by Minister Naughten and his Department officials in association with Local Enterprise Offices. It provides a matched-funding opportunity of up to €2,500 for small businesses to help them to develop their trading online capability. Staff from Local Enterprise Offices in the region will also be on hand to provide guidance and answer any questions.

The workshop will be opened by Minister Denis Naughten and facilitated by Noel Davidson from The Entrepreneurs Academy.

To register, complete the booking form at www.localenterprise.ie/Roscommon or contact your local enterprise office.

Further information on the Trading Online Voucher Scheme is available on the website of the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment, www.dccae.gov.ie/tradingonlinevoucher.