IntertradeIreland, the cross-Border trade development body, plans to spend £27 million sterling (€43.5 million) over the next three years to educate the public and private sectors about potential new business opportunities, North and South.

The body, established by the Irish and British governments under the Belfast Agreement to promote increased cross-Border business, held its fifth meeting yesterday in Newry, Co Down, despite growing political uncertainty in the North.

IntertradeIreland is anxious that its work will not be overshadowed by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Dr Harold Ennis, the body's deputy chairman, believes there is strong support from both business communities for IntertradeIreland, one of the six North/South implementation bodies.

"There is sufficient business rationale to justify this organisation's existence and the benefits which have already flowed since it was established," he said.

Dr Ennis said both governments continued to endorse the work of IntertradeIreland.

Sir Reg Empey, the North's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and the Tβnaiste, Ms Harney, yesterday attended the Council meeting.

The gathering met to approve IntertradeIreland's corporate plan for 2002-04. It objective is to increase the quality and quantity of knowledge relating to cross-Border trade.