Write a commentBertie Ahern was guest speaker at the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade Annual Dinner, in Newry last evening. The former Taoiseach talked about the border, Brexit and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and commented how the Chamber and it's members were at the forefront of promoting and supporting North South co-operation. "North-South economic and social cooperation has benefited people across the island, and supported the development of an all-island economy that has enhanced the prosperity of all. Protecting these gains is not just about ensuring frictionless trade; it is also about facilitating peoples’ lives and livelihoods. Fundamentally, this is about peace, reconciliation and prosperity."
The Backstop
Talking about the Brexit 'Backstop' Mr Ahern added "There are arguments being made that the backstop will disrupt Northern Ireland’s economy in terms of trade with the UK but this discounts the very real economic situation of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland, economically, like in so many other ways is a place apart from the rest of the UK. Statistics can tell us almost anything but one of the most important statistics that I have heard is that whilst the value of trade between Northern Ireland and the rest the United Kingdom far outstrips that between Ireland North and South – that same North South trade supports more jobs than the trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
"That means people in border regions like this employed in SMEs trading across the border. We also know that 98% of the businesses involved in cross-border trade are small businesses and they make up 80% of the value of cross-border trade. This is delivering for Northern Ireland. Looking at top line trading statistics doesn’t give the full picture."
No Going Back to Borders of the Past
Paul Convery, the President of Newry Chamber of Commerce added that we must not go back to the borders of the past
Highlighting the story of Newry’s economic success, the President of the Chamber said: “Today, we have created one of Northern Ireland’s fastest growing regions, strategically positioned as we are at the heart of the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor. It is an area renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit, dynamic business leaders and talented workforce.
“The Greater Newry Area is home to 7 of Northern Ireland’s top 100 companies. Small local businesses, like Norbrook Laboratories, the MJM Group and First Derivatives have developed into global players.”
Calling for clarity on Brexit he said: “We do not want to go back to a period of barriers, borders and bureaucratic customs checks, which will make our businesses uncompetitive and our area unattractive to visitors, investors and the people who want to do business with us.
“To exploit the opportunities and continue to generate growth we need a resolution to Brexit. The arrival of the Single Market and the Good Friday Agreement led to a situation where the border could quite simply disappear. Since then, businesses and communities, lives and livelihoods have developed and prospered beyond any previous measure.
“As business leaders we owe it to the young people growing up in our city where full employment is now the norm, we simply cannot turn the clock back.”
