As businesses across all sectors open fully, Northern Ireland’s economy is showing signs of recovery and there are real grounds for optimism as it returns to growth. NI Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey and numerous other indicators, including Ulster University Economic Policy Centre’s Summer Outlook show that confidence around turnover and profitability is improving, with many […]

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial impact of Brexit and the recent unrest and its associated reputational damage to the Northern Ireland economy and wider society, now is a good time to reiterate NI Chamber’s previous calls for political leaders to commit to working together to avoid causing any further unnecessary disruption and to ensure […]

Infrastructure has a central role to play in economic growth, so it follows that investing in it should be a strategic priority. However, for too long, Northern Ireland has suffered from significant levels of underinvestment in even the basics like water, transport and sewerage. Our recovery from the pandemic relies heavily on addressing the scale […]

As many readers will know, earlier this year, the Executive launched the public consultation on its Programme for Government (PfG) draft Outcomes Framework. The draft Framework contains nine strategic outcomes which are intended to set a clear direction of travel for the NI Executive and provide a vision for the future of all citizens. The […]

Last month, Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced the Draft 2021-2022 budget, which is out for consultation until later this week (Thursday). One of our immediate concerns with the draft NI Budget is that it is a one-year budget and not a multi-annual one. This imposes significant constraints on how the Executive supports and invests in […]

Businesses are now almost four weeks into working with new customs and international trade procedures, and it is starting to become clear how the new changes are affecting companies here – with additional administrative work and delays being some of the key issues raised to date. There is no doubt that businesses have had to […]

2020 has presented business with challenges which just a year ago, could have been considered insurmountable. And while NI Chamber continues to prioritise supporting companies through COVID-19 challenges and Brexit preparations, the time is also right to forward plan our policy priorities for 2021 and beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact on societies across the world. Communities, enterprises and individuals have all been affected, some more than others, either personally, financially or both. Whilst today’s objective is to have an open, fully-functioning economy, we also need to support enterprises and employees to work safely in a new environment – alongside COVID-19 and Brexit – as we begin to plan the first steps to recovery in the months ahead.

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.