E-minister in 'cash for e-SME' regeneration game

Speaking at the launch of the third annual ecommerce awards for small businesses in London this week, e-minister Patricia Hewitt praised the £136,000 prize fund, claiming it will help boost technology deployment among small firms.

Hewitt said: "Things have changed hugely since last year. We were so worried about where our small businesses were. We set out the target of getting 1.5 million SMEs online by next year and have already beaten that target - we've got 1.7 million online."

However, she admitted there is still a lack of urgency among many SMEs to get online. Geoff Morris, chairman of event co-host Interforum, denied the object of the awards is to scare those left behind.

He said: "The strategy that says if you don't go online you go bust is a fear strategy and is a waste of time. It's a matter of getting the arguments across to people about how much more effective their business is going to be if they use these technologies."

But for those that are online already the UK government is now planning to encourage greater international trading. Hewitt said: "The big challenge now is to get SME's not just using email or websites but really exploiting the power of the internet all the way through their supply chain."

And to reflect that target, this year's hopeful winners will have to demonstrate more than simply going online to market their business. According to Morris showing supply chain management and international exporting features is going to be key.

Any small businesses wishing to apply for an award can find the details of the competition at http://www.ecommerce-awards.co.uk