Sunday Independent: Ireland’s trading relationship with Egypt developed in the 1970s and 1980s with the export of cattle and beef, evolving into a market worth over €100 million for exporters today.

Smart Dublin, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, launched five Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) competitions with €800k in funding last Thursday.

Enterprise Ireland is aiming to increase Irish exports to the Asia Pacific region by 50pc by 2020. Over the past five years, exports to the Asia-Pacific region from Ireland more than doubled since breaking the €1bn mark in 2012.

The 40-hectare site houses a 46,500m squ. factory, a dedicated research and development and testing centre as well as extensive administrative and visitor facilities.

The European Commission announces €22m in funding for a new bio-economy research project to be led by Glanbia Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland’s €1 million Competitive Start Fund (CSF) for female entrepreneurs will open for applications on Tuesday, 1 May. Up to €50,000 in equity funding is available to a maximum of 20 successful female applicants.

Enterprise Ireland’s Tom Cusack joined Vincent Wall on the Business Breakfast on Newstalk this week to talk about the opportunities for Irish businesses in the Asia Pacific Region ahead of the Routes to Growth Asia Pacific Conference last Wednesday.

The Competitive Start Fund provided ApisProtect with financial and mentoring support that helped the business hit key milestones.

Carlow-headquartered security monitoring company Netwatch is to double in size after merging with three companies in the US and the UK.

The regional shortlist for the National Startup Awards, powered by Bank of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, has been announced with 109 companies shortlisted across 14 categories.

Digital data monitoring company Remote Signals has been awarded top prize at the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme at the Rubicon Centre, hosted by Cork Institute of Technology.

The company’s co-founder and CEO Anita Finnegan explains how its Irish advantage has driven Nova Leah from a college spin-off to a global player in just a few months.

Winners of the €3,000 pitch competition, The Busy Botanist, pictured at the Fuelling Ambition Roadshow in Killarney with Roseanne Heavey President of Network Ireland, Rachel James of Enterprise Ireland and Aoife Ni Mhuirí of Salaso Health Solutions.