Minister seeks banking presence at next AGSB meeting

Minister Perry has asked representatives of AIB and Bank of Ireland to address the next meeting of the AGSB.
Minister Perry has asked representatives of AIB and Bank of Ireland to address the next meeting of the AGSB.

Minister for Small Business, John Perry TD has written to Bank of Ireland Chief Executive Richie Boucher and AIB Chief Executive David Duffy to request that they or a representative from their bank attend the next scheduled meeting of the Advisory Group for Small Business next June 20th.

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15 April 2013

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The AGSB has been tasked by Government to “facilitate structured and regular dialogue between the Minister for Small Business and representatives of the small business sector, on issues of concern to that sector on how to promote the economic development and job potential of the sector having regard to the current constraints imposed on the national finances and to recommend action points and follow up”.

 Minister Perry has asked representatives of AIB and Bank of Ireland to address the next meeting of the AGSB.

Minister Perry has asked representatives of AIB and Bank of Ireland to address the next meeting of the AGSB.

to provide the members of the Group with an overview of the current activities their bank is engaged in to support SMEs and their commitments in respect of loans to SMEs over the period 2011 to 2013.

“As Chairman of the Advisory Group for Small Business, I undertook to bring the Group’s concerns, which were raised at a recent meeting of the AGSB, to the attention of each Bank,” stated the Minister, “These issues relate to bank supports for small business as being of critical concern to small businesses operating in what is acknowledged as a particularly challenging economic period.
“While the Group members are aware that there are ongoing Government-backed initiatives to address the issue of access to finance for SMEs introduced under the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, namely the Microenterprise Loan Fund and the Credit Guarantee Scheme, they wished to know what additional steps are being taken by the banks to support SMEs at this point.

“It is imperative that we listen to the voice of small business. The dedication and perseverance of business people running locally-traded companies throughout the regions should not be underestimated. They are crucial to the enhancement of Ireland’s overall competitiveness and growth and should not be overlooked.

“By hearing first hand, the views and experiences of local business representative groups on access to bank lending, banks can work towards creating a more business-friendly banking environment.  By working with their SME clients to help them achieve their goals they will help to drive forward Ireland’s economic recovery,” he concluded.

 

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