The 1998 winner of the Compaq Ireland Trade Award will receive a prize worth £10,000 and a specially commissioned sculpture. The award given to the person, company or group which has done most to foster trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic, has been endorsed by the IBEC/CBI Joint Business Council.

Compaq is siting its European, African and Middle East customer support centre in Dun Laoghaire and will employ 550 when complete.