Appointing economic champions will promote bi-lateral trade and investment between Northern Ireland and G8 countries for years to come

Commenting on what impact G8 may have to the Northern Ireland economy in the future, Mark Nodder, President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, said:

“Northern Ireland already has very strong commercial links with each of the G8 countries and is fast becoming recognised as a centre for financial technology, data analytics, manufacturing, aerospace and agri-food. As an English speaking country, a highly trained workforce and lower operating costs than many comparable regions we are an attractive option for potential investors.

Our Ministers are embarking on trade missions to countries such as Brazil, China and America in order to seek further investment and this is crucial in spreading the word about what Northern Ireland has to offer, opening up new markets for our companies and putting the province on the radar screen of potential inward investors.

However the G8 Summit in Fermanagh provides the leaders of these countries with an opportunity to see for themselves how Northern Ireland has changed over recent years and also see the potential that exists here.

We therefore need to harness the benefits that the G8 summit will provide us with and use these for the good of the Northern Ireland economy well into the future. It is essential that we maintain these relationships once the Summit is over in order to leave a G8 legacy.

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce therefore calls for each of the countries to commit to appointing an economic champion to promote bi-lateral trade and investment between their country and Northern Ireland.

We ask that the world leaders appoint these ‘champions’ whose primary role is to build relationships between their country and the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Invest NI and business organisations committed to the development of the NI economy such as Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

During his time as U.S. Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly helped the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, Invest NI, and the business community make Northern Ireland one of the best per capita attractors of investment in the world. If each leader agrees to appoint an economic champion then we can secure bi-lateral trade and investment between Northern Ireland and these countries for years to come.”