It’s Good News Friday and, while it may be the summer, it’s been a busy few months at the Chamber of engaging with key stakeholders, elected representatives, and government ministers!

Going all the way back to May, Chamber representatives travelled as part of the largest ever delegation of Northern Ireland businesses to the House of Commons and Irish Embassy receptions in the annual Trade NI trade mission. We also used the trip to deepen our links with other likeminded organisations across the water including the London Chamber of Commerce and the City of London.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 23rd May 2023 – Trade NI event at the House of Commons to launch a major new report on creating prosperity dividend for NI. Photo by Press Eye.

We were back with the Trade NI team in July as we travelled to Leinster House in Dublin and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs at Iveagh House as part of another delegation to engage with Irish ministers and parliamentarians. These were two very useful engagements and fantastic opportunities to build relationships with partners across these islands and promote the North West as a place to do business, work, visit, and live. 

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 13th July 2023 –  A major new economic report, launched in Dublin today, chronicles the major positive change in the Northern Ireland economy post-Good Friday Agreement and seeks to provide a blueprint for driving growth and prosperity in Northern Ireland over the next 10 years.  Trade NI, an alliance of three of Northern Ireland’s largest trade bodies – Hospitality Ulster, Manufacturing Northern Ireland, and Retail Northern Ireland – launched the report at a reception in Iveagh House hosted by Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. A large delegation of Northern Ireland business leaders attended the reception. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Throughout the summer, we’ve been in regular contact with our local representatives in the city, meeting with Sinead McLaughlin MLA, Ciara Ferguson MLA, and Gary Middleton MLA. These are perfect opportunities to update on the issues and challenges faced by local businesses in the region and work towards solutions together.

Members of the Chamber board also met with Northern Ireland Office Minister Steve Baker MP in Derry at the end of July and made a strong case again for why the North West is a leading location to invest.

And as recently as yesterday, we were delighted to welcome Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, to our offices in the city centre as Chamber President Selina Horshi chaired a joint engagement with a large delegation of regional business and industry stakeholders. This was a useful meeting and a chance to hear first-hand the work being done between the government and the political parties to restore the Stormont institutions.

Super Cup NI – Elite Final. 28/7/23 Valencia V Manchester United Phot Lorcan Doherty/Presseye

It was also brilliant to see that the Secretary of State and his team used the new route between Heathrow and the City of Derry Airport to travel to the region, a real testament to the route’s convenience and quality!

As we move out of the summer and into the final months of the year, the Chamber will continue to engage with all our elected representatives, all political parties, and key stakeholders as we look to give the North West a strong voice and provide solutions to the current political impasse in Northern Ireland.