Nearly two-thirds of businesses across Ireland expect growth in cross-Border co-operation in the next five years, according to a survey published today.
The survey revealed that almost half (47 per cent) of businesses throughout the island were optimistic that their respective governments would improve business conditions over the next five years.
The levels of optimism were slightly higher among companies in the Republic - 50 per cent - than in Northern Ireland, where the level was 43 per cent.
In the North companies cited corporation tax as the main priority for the new Executive, while in the Republic businesses viewed taxes on business and labour, and improvements in infrastructure as the two main priorities for the Government.
Some 80 per cent of those questioned also expected the island economy to grow over the next five years.
The survey will be presented at a meeting of the Councils of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
PA