Businesses to embrace technology in 2007

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is encouraging the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to get into ICT by entering the eBusiness Awards and attending the eBusiness Expo in 2007. 

SMEs account for over 95% of the region's businesses and investment in information and communication technology (ICT) has a crucial role to play in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) published by emda earlier this year. 

The Awards, previously known as the eCommerce Awards, recognise companies across the East Midlands which have demonstrated the best use of ICT. The Awards are a great opportunity for an SME to gain credibility, network with other business in the region and potentially win £15,000 for their company.  

The deadline for nominations is January 19th with a Gala Dinner being help on February 22nd 2007.

Free and impartial advice on how to implement ICT will be available, with information on the latest technology solutions and the support initiatives that exist in the East Midlands. The Expo provides for both eBusiness novices and experts, with seminars to help SMEs in the region stay ahead of their competition.

Mike Carr, Executive Director of Business Services at emda, said: “The Regional Economic Strategy states that over a third of SMEs in the East Midlands have not adopted any form of ICT in their business practices – this is something we need to address if we’re to make the East Midlands a flourishing region by 2020.

“ICT is crucial to economic success and the eBusiness Awards and eBusiness Expo will be a great celebration of those SMEs who are helping to drive the region forward whilst hopefully encouraging others to do the same.”