Ireland's businesses should forge closer links with its universities if they want to successfully make the leap into international markets, according to a top University of Ulster business analyst.

Professor Jim Bell, of the University of Ulster's School of International Business told an audience of business leaders and academics at the University of Ulster's Magee campus this week that the international networks of contacts and expertise the university sector already can be crucial for companies who want to internationalise their businesses.

"The support mechanisms for most traditional businesses and business start-ups in Ireland are already well established and functioning pretty well,: he said. "But for some kinds of businesses - especially those whose target markets are of necessity outside Ireland - eg computer software and bio-tech firms - the Universities can provide valuable additional support.

"These are the kind of companies which are 'born global', and who cannot survive on Irish revenues alone - because the market is either too small or non-existent. For these kinds of enterprises, the university sector has much to offer. It is already international in outlook and practice, and can open doors that local businesses may never even know existed.

"Universities have extensive international market knowledge: they are experienced in international collaboration: they have world class IT infrastructures: and they are committed as part of their mission to technology and knowledge transfer activities and the encouragement of entrepreneurship.

"Our universities are a major resource open to existing businesses and to start ups aiming to start at international level. They're one of the best tools we have for this vitally important economic development task - but we don't make enough use of them."

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young