Irish firms celebrate South African success

15-01-2008

by Stephen Errity

Dublin software firm In1 Solutions is one of two Irish companies to have closed major deals on a trade mission to South Africa.

The Swords-based firm has signed an agreement that will see its products play a major role in organising accommodation for the 2010 soccer World Cup, which is to be held in South Africa. The deal was confirmed on Tuesday by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin, who is in Johannesburg for the Enterprise Ireland-led trade mission.

In1 Solutions' software is already used by 2,500 customers in the hotel, motel and bed and breakfast sector to manage room bookings. The company has opened a new office in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, as part of the new deal.

Minister Martin also announced that Dublin recruitment company SAON Group is to take over one of South Africa's biggest recruitment websites and re-launch it from new offices. SAON employs 30 people and currently operates online recruitment services in Ireland, the US and Canada, among other markets. The new South African website will see 15,000 jobs advertised online every month.

The minister wished both companies every success in their new ventures. "These companies are perfect examples of the type of expertise Ireland can offer South Africa and its neighbours, a market of an estimated 185 million people," he said. "It is clear that existing Irish exports to South Africa of EUR300 million a year can be increased. I am confident thatÂ… we will see other announcements as we visit both Johannesburg and Pretoria over the next two days."