b2europe was offically launched by the European Commission on the 24th November.  To coincide with this launch business support bodies invovled in the b2europe initiative in this region launched this initiative for the Northwest in the Sligo City Hotel on December 5th.  Marian Harkin, MEP was our guest speaker at the launch.

b2europe is an integral part of the European Commission’s policy to help with the creation, innovation and development of Europe’s SMEs, recognising them as the backbone of  Europe’s economy.

It is based on the principle that business support should be available across the whole of Europe to all companies in need of assistance.  b2europe is designed to strengthen the impact and quality of services provided by members of the alliance. b2europe is based on the principle of putting the interests of the client first. 

b2europe seeks the collaboration between business intermediaries and political authorities at the local and regional level in order to achieve a complete business support strategy based on co-operation and transparency.

The alliance of networks under b2europe will increase their co-operation, sharing of experiences, information and good practice examples and will deliver on an improved signposting mechanism of clients in order to better serve business.

Pictured left to right: Patricia Seery (IRC), Ann Clinton (President - Sligo Chamber), Kevin Burke (IRC), Laura Caslin (Sligo EIC), Marian Harkin (TD& MEP) & Seamus McCormack (WESTBIC).        

Back Row, left to right: Michael Quigley - Sligo Leader Partnership, Maureen Allman - Boyle Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Burke - Innovation Relay Centre, Mary Boyle - Enterprise Ireland, Geraldine McMenamin - Leitrim County Enterprise Board, Seamus McCormack - WESTBIC, Front Row, left to right: Patricia Seery - Innovation Relay Centre, Ann Clinton - Sligo Chamber, Marian Harkin - TD & MEP, Laura Caslin - Sligo Euro Info Centre.

Missing from picture: John Reilly (Sligo County Enterprise Board), Michael Tunny (Donegal County Enterprise Board) & Assumpta Kelly (FAS- services to business)