Sunday Independent: The need to be competitive has never been more urgent for Irish companies with ambitions to grow through international export.

Large supermarket chains have asked suppliers to conduct “mapping” exercises to track where their products originate as part of planning for Brexit to make sure supplies are not interrupted.

A Government-backed initiative that encourages entrepreneurs to collaborate with official bodies such as the HSE to test their products, services and devices before they go to market, is expanding with new hubs in Dublin and Galway.

Ireland's attempt to build its credentials as a key player in blockchain has received a boost with the news that an international body working to develop standards around the technology will host a conference in Dublin next year.

General Paints is launching a new brand to the Irish market having invested €1 million in its development over the past three years.

Twenty-one Irish companies took part in a trade mission to Switzerland last week with a focus on diversifying into the Swiss medtech, construction services and agritech sectors. The trade mission forms part of Enterprise Ireland’s Brexit response.

Irish company Cubic Telecom has extended its partnership with Audi, with the expansion of its connectivity management solution for the new Audi Q8’s across Europe.

Two Irish companies have been awarded research contracts to investigate the benefits of using artificial intelligence (AI) to help people use online public services easier.

After recently launching in the US, HealthBeacon is making patients feel more supported at home, while helping to reduce costs associated with non-adherence to medication schedules.

Webio is enabling businesses to provide customer service through popular messaging apps such as Messenger, WhatsApp, SMS, Alexa and Google Home.

'CorkBIC plays an important role in shaping and developing the business eco-system in Cork to support innovative start-ups, to reach their full potential.' - Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.

KYC has developed a platform that will identify and verify companies and individuals for client onboarding in one day, compared with the industry average of 26 days.

Clare Roche, Market Advisor for Middle East & North Africa at Enterprise Ireland, describes the enormous opportunity for Irish exporters in the MENA region.

The first Additive Ireland showcase, organised by Enterprise Ireland took place on 2nd October 2018 in Brussels. The Additive Ireland group comprises members of Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) - the EI/IDA funded Technology Centre - and SFI research centres; Amber, I-Form and Confirm.