Write a commentThe recent Institute of Directors (IoD) Chairman’s Roadshow was held in Newry with concerns over infrastructure investments and Brexit among the main issues raised by local business leaders.
Hosted by IoD NI Chairman Gordon Milligan at the Flexi Work Space in Monaghan Street, the event brought together dozens of business leaders from the public and private sector across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area and beyond.
Gordon commented: “In Northern Ireland, we face specific challenges that are unique, including having no government for 19 months, challenges linked to Brexit and although unemployment is low compared to the rest of the UK, we have the highest level of economic inactivity.
“Added to these, the almost £2 billion of infrastructure projects currently delayed as a result of the pollical impasse and the requirement of transformation in health and education, there is much that needs to be done to improve outcomes for local people and our business community.”
Many of those in attendance called for progression on the delivery of the Newry Southern Relief Road and the Belfast City Region Deal which covers the local council area, while concerns surrounding Brexit and what it will mean for cross-border travel and trade continues to loom large.
Mr Milligan was joined at the event, which completed a series sponsored by KPMG, by Brexit expert, Allie Renison, the IoD’s Head of Europe and Trade Policy.
He added: “The events, which have also seen us on the road to Derry and Armagh, have been invaluable in terms of the level of engagement they have enabled with companies across the region as we seen to be the voice of business and creating a platform for the concerns of our members to be heard.”
To find out more about the IoD NI, including a full calendar of upcoming events, visit www.iod.com/ni
