NI Chamber News
Unleashing potential: NI Chamber’s message to the Westminster Government
We brought a delegation of business leaders to address conference delegates, hosting a fringe event which focused on the Westminster-based policy actions that we believe will help Northern Ireland’s economy to grow.
NI Chamber President welcomes Programme for Government
After almost a decade with no agreed Programme for Government, last week saw the much-anticipated publication of the Northern Ireland...
Good jobs, cashflow and competition: What we learned from Q2
NI Chamber has recently published the results of its Quarterly Economic Survey for the second quarter of 2024.
Let’s shout so much louder about our investment proposition
Last week, I had the enormous privilege of hosting NI Chamber’s Annual Lunch in the magnificent surroundings of Belfast City...
In my final View from the Chair as NI Chamber President, it feels fitting to reflect on the year just past
In my final article for this newspaper as NI Chamber President, it feels fitting to reflect on the year just...
From Economic Vision to economic reality
Last week in Parliament Buildings, we presented the results of NI Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for the first three months...
NI Chamber signs MOU with North Carolina
A few weeks ago, I had the great privilege of leading NI Chamber’s delegation to the United States, where we...
Time to focus on delivery
Last week, Economy Minister Conor Murphy outlined his Economic Vision to the Assembly. At NI Chamber, we certainly welcome the...
Affirming Northern Ireland’s place in a competitive world
Almost two thirds of NI Chamber members believe they will grow in 2024, according to the findings of our latest...
Autumn Statement contains no game changers for Northern Ireland
At a UK wide level, last week’s Autumn Statement brought forward a number of initiatives which are welcome and should...
NI Chamber President: Time for a restored Executive to take tough decisions
The President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) has stressed the case for a restored, fully...
At a pivotal moment, it’s time to see the Executive restored
This week, we published the findings of NI Chamber’s latest quarterly economic survey, which found that whilst the trading environment...
In the interest of growth
When NI Chamber and BDO published Quarterly Economic Survey results for Q2 in August, we highlighted then that inflation was...
Northern Ireland: A promising investment proposition
Cathal Geoghegan, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Next week, we expect that more than 100 global investors...
Business confidence appears to be growing again
Cathal Geoghegan, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry On 8 August, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry...
View from the Chair
Earlier this month, I had the great honour of being appointed as the 177th President of Northern Ireland Chamber of...
There is still time to let 2023 be a year of progress
In my first View from the Chair column last year, I outlined my priorities for the year in office; they...
Showing the eyes of the world that NI is open for business
Last week I had the privilege of hearing President Biden’s public address at Ulster University – experiencing it close-up as...
Positive perceptions and a strong international reputation
Last week, I had the enormous privilege of leading an international showcase, which saw NI Chamber and Dublin Chamber visit...
Valuing social enterprise
Across Northern Ireland, social enterprises are positively contributing to life and work in a huge variety of innovative ways. The...
Fiscal challenges puts business rates back in the spotlight
The good news, relatively speaking, is that after a significant drop across all indicators in Q3 22, NI Chamber’s recently...
A Place where big ideas are thriving
Last week, I had the enormous privilege of addressing one of the highlights of the business calendar; NI Chamber’s Annual...
Alarm bells signal need for decision making
Last week, NI Chamber’s Vice President Cathal Geoghegan and I released a joint statement outlining why this is a pivotal...
Solving the productivity puzzle
The recent UK Government “Plan for Growth” and the events that followed have dominated headlines in recent weeks. There are...
Engagement, Agreement and Certainty: Priorities for the new PM
Today, after a summer dominated by the Conservative leadership election, Liz Truss will assume the role of Prime Minister with...
Why childcare is key to positively progressing women in the workplace
In a recent interview on BBC’s Inside Business programme, I was asked about the significance of holding the position of...
People, Prices and Political Uncertainty
Recently, we published the findings of NI Chamber’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey with BDO and while it was encouraging to...
New President shares priorities for year in office
Last month, I had the great privilege of becoming the 176th President of NI Chamber. It is a personal and...
View from the Chair
Paul Murnaghan, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Right now businesses in Northern Ireland are being tested like...
Chancellor must act now to ease ‘cost of doing business’ crisis
When Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivers his Spring Statement this week, businesses in Northern Ireland and across the UK will need to see bold and decisive action to address what is now an escalating ‘cost of doing business’ crisis.
A vision for education in the 21st century
From a business perspective, we know that the world’s most competitive economies have forward looking and resource efficient education systems.
Businesses need certainty, support and the right conditions for sustainable growth
In my New Year message at the start of this month, I set out why addressing issues including skills challenges,...
Time to shake off the shackles and focus on opportunity
Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting NI Chamber’s annual President’s Banquet. At the event, we were joined by...
Tackling barriers to business growth
Paul Murnaghan, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Last week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled his autumn budget and...
Now is the time for climate action
Paul Murnaghan, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry As preparations for COP26 ramp up, businesses are more focused...
View from the Chair
Paul Murnaghan, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Over the past year, NI Chamber has consulted heavily with...
Time to get back to issued based policy making
As businesses across all sectors open fully, Northern Ireland’s economy is showing signs of recovery and there are real grounds...
Stability, not chaos, required over coming months
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial impact of Brexit and the recent unrest and its associated reputational damage to the...
Investing in infrastructure is key to economic recovery
Infrastructure has a central role to play in economic growth, so it follows that investing in it should be a...
Programme for Government must take managed risks
As many readers will know, earlier this year, the Executive launched the public consultation on its Programme for Government (PfG)...
Budget must be based on strategic, long-term objectives
Last month, Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced the Draft 2021-2022 budget, which is out for consultation until later this week...
Long term solutions and support required
Businesses are now almost four weeks into working with new customs and international trade procedures, and it is starting to...
Making the business case for sustainability
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.
Thrive! Recovering a better, greener future for Northern Ireland
COVID-19 and the measures designed to tackle it have had dramatic effects on how we live, work and do business...
View from the Chair: No amount of government support can compensate for an open, fully-functioning economy
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.
View from the Chair: The important role of infrastructure in recovery
Infrastructure is a critical long-term societal investment that can make Northern Ireland a more efficient, better functioning society and boost...
Firms need bolder and ambitious action
By Ian Henry, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Labour market figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics...
Amid uncertainty, businesses urgently need answers
VIEW FROM THE CHAIR Ian Henry, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Many businesses depend on trade with...
