Bartercard Expands UK Growth With Move Into Ireland

In 1991 Bartercard opened a single office in Queensland�s Gold Coast, Australia. Today the company which operates 120 offices worldwide in 17 countries announced the license for Ireland has been sold for EU550,000 or US$690,000. Operations will begin in early 2007. 

It�s already been quite an eventful year for Bartercard. CEO Wayne Sharpe explained, �The sale of the Irish license, following the recent license sales of Saudi Arabia and Syria, is a fantastic result, given that we are still in the first quarter of the current financial year.�

Ireland is expected to become a natural trading partner for members of Bartercard�s UK operation, (Much like Bartercard�s New Zealand and Australia operations are trading partners.) Additionally, Sharpe believes that Ireland can be a valuable stepping stone into Continental Europe, due to its participation in the euro currency.

Turkey Provides Assist In Building European Awareness

Bartercard International Managing Director Andrew Federowsky says the company�s operations in Turkey, which commenced in March, 2006, are extremely important to the company and will also provide a bridge for the company�s further expansion into Europe as well as the Middle East.

The head office for the Turkey operation is located in Izmir which is very close to Greece. Managing Director of Bartercard Turkey, Mose Elis, says the building of brand awareness in Europe will be a natural because, �we have so many connections to Europe through trade and tourism.�