The intensified restrictions announced by the NI Executive last week are a real blow to many businesses who have put hard work and money into ensuring that they are COVID-secure.

The need for additional restrictions cannot be blamed on a lack of care by hardworking people in businesses, who have worked tirelessly to implement government guidance and create a safe environment for their employees, visitors and customers. Despite these conscientious efforts, many are now in the midst of a four week period of trading restrictions. At NI Chamber, we will fully support our colleagues in hospitality, retail and close contact services over these coming weeks.

• Some signs of recovery but all key business indicators remain negative • Order books remain weak, particularly for export orders • Collapse in confidence leads to significant contraction in investment intentions • 1 in 2 members already have or plan to reduce staff • 1 in 5 members express concern about ability to pay […]

Responding to The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Winter Economic Plan, Ian Henry, President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber), said: “The measures announced by the Chancellor provide a welcomed response to the business community’s call for a new generation of support to help protect livelihoods and ease the cash pressures faced […]

Infrastructure is a critical long-term societal investment that can make Northern Ireland a more efficient, better functioning society and boost economic growth. It has the ability to improve quality of life and wellbeing by offering good transport links, safe water and sanitation, connectivity, communication, housing and energy. It can address equality of opportunity and poverty […]

Welcoming the Infrastructure Minister’s decision to approve planning permission for the North South Interconnector, Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber), said: “This is an extremely positive decision from the Infrastructure Minister. The delivery of the North South Interconnector has been amongst the top infrastructure priorities for our […]

By Ian Henry, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Labour market figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) earlier this month revealed a concerning decline in the number of employees on payrolls, with almost 2,000 proposed redundancies in July, following a record high of 2,500 in June. There is no doubt […]

Commenting on the Trader Support Service announcement, Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber); said: “The package announced by the UK government will be welcomed by businesses in Northern Ireland, as a free service for any NI business who would like to bring in goods from Great Britain […]

VIEW FROM THE CHAIR Ian Henry, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Many businesses depend on trade with the home nations more than any other partner. According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), Great Britain remains the “most significant single market” for external sales for businesses in Northern Ireland, accounting […]

Immediate impact of COVID-19 much greater than aftermath of the 2008/09 financial crash 77% of firms have already furloughed employees and 12% have made staff redundant 1 in 2 members (52%) intend to reduce staff levels post COVID-19 Almost 1 in 5 imply that the business might not survive NI Chamber provides recommendations to government […]