A new organisation has been established to capitalise on the growing trade between Scotland and Ireland.

The Irish Business Network in Scotland will link the established Irish business community in Scotland, companies in Ireland who want to expand into Scotland, and Scottish businesses with an interest in Ireland.

It’s a not-for-profit membership organisation.

“This is about encouraging businesses and entrepreneurs in both Scotland and Ireland to explore the opportunities on the other side of the water,” said founding chairman Colm Moloney. “We want to create a network that shares ideas and information, creates opportunities for partnerships and collaborations, and taps into the experience of those people and companies that have made a success of broadening their horizons across the Irish Sea.”

The other founding members are Northern Irish architect working in Edinburgh, and Scot David Greenlees, who works for an Irish technology firm in Glasgow.

According to Scotland’s cabinet secretary for culture, tourism and external affairs, Fiona Hyslop, exports from Scotland to Ireland are worth around £1.125 billion (€1.44 billion), with Irish businesses in Scotland having turnover of more than £2.5 billion and supporting almost 6,000 jobs.

She said the Government welcomed the close collaboration between the network and the Scottish Innovation and Investment Hub in Ireland.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe said the establishment of the network was further evidence of close cooperation that exists between Ireland and Scotland.