Derry Chamber Chief Executive Anna Doherty and President Steven Lindsay attended Trade NI’s Annual Event at the House of Commons in London, joining business leaders, Ministers and key decision-makers for a discussion on Northern Ireland’s economic future.

The event focused on Advancing Northern Ireland’s Economic Future, a new report produced by BDO Northern Ireland in partnership with Trade NI. Trade NI represents Retail NI, Manufacturing NI and Hospitality Ulster, and the report sets out policy recommendations aimed at reducing business costs, strengthening skills and supporting entrepreneurship.

For Chamber members, the themes are highly relevant. Businesses across Derry and the wider North West continue to face pressure from energy costs, wage costs, insurance, supply chains, skills shortages and subdued consumer confidence. The report argues that targeted, regionally responsive interventions are needed if Northern Ireland is to make more of its economic strengths, including dual access to the UK and European Union markets.

Among the proposals discussed were a reduced VAT pilot for hospitality and tourism, targeted rates relief for small and medium-sized enterprises, action on electricity costs, better use of Windsor Framework tariff revenues, and reforms to make skills support more accessible to employers. The report also calls for a more joined-up enterprise support system to help start-ups and smaller businesses grow.

For the North West, these issues are practical. Hospitality, tourism, retail, manufacturing and local services are all central to employment and regeneration across the region. Policy decisions on VAT, rates, energy, skills and enterprise support will shape whether firms can invest, expand and create jobs.

The Chamber’s attendance at Westminster ensured that North West business priorities were part of the wider conversation with policymakers and industry representatives.

The takeaway: The Trade NI report gives a timely platform for action on the costs, skills and competitiveness challenges facing businesses across Derry and the wider North West.

You can read the full BDO Report here.