41% of businesses on the island of Ireland are involved in cross-border trade.  The latest statistics reveal that between 2003 and 2006, total trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland went up from £1.69bn to £1.99bn – a 17.8% increase.

Positive relationships and partnerships exist between the towns of Dundalk and nearby Newry at local authority level with joint committees such as the Newry Dundalk Twin City Project.  There are also formal associations of business and development organisations to promote economic cooperation and business between the two communities.

Intertrade Ireland, based in Newry, is a cross-border body developed by the Irish and British governments to promote trade and business development.