Newry Chamber hear that area is 'uniquely positioned' to benefit from cross border trade

Infrastructure and Economy Ministers heard directly from Newry businesses about the opportunities and obstacles facing the Greater Newry area at a Chamber event in Warrenpoint last week with Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald saying the area is 'uniquely positioned' to benefit from cross border trade.

The 'Meet The Ministers' Corporate Patrons event, held at The Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint on 21 May, was organised by Newry Chamber and supported by S&W Wholesale, The Exact Group, Kilmorey Care and Southern Regional College. It gave more than 40 of the Chamber's Corporate Patrons the chance to meet with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA and Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA to discuss the economic and infrastructure challenges facing businesses in the greater Newry area.

The event centred on the theme of developing greater Newry into a sustainable economic powerhouse on the Dublin-Belfast Corridor, with both Ministers taking questions from attendees on a broad range of issues including dual market access, the rates burden, skills development, planning reform, wastewater funding and regional balance in local economic partnerships.

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA highlighted Newry's position at the heart of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, noting that cross-border trade on the island of Ireland has reached a record £14.6 billion, with £2.2 billion, some 15 per cent of the total, attributable to Newry, Mourne and Down. She said: "The All-Ireland economy is thriving, and Dual Market Access provides us with an internationally competitive advantage. At the heart of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, Newry is uniquely positioned to benefit from this."

A panel discussion followed the ministerial session, with contributions from Anthony McVeigh of S&W Wholesale, Ronan Callan of The Exact Group, Cathal O'Neill of Kilmorey Care and Lee Campbell of Southern Regional College. Each of the organisations represented has committed to significant expansion plans in the greater Newry area and, despite facing considerable obstacles, each panellist expressed confidence that the region has a positive economic future if key infrastructure and strategic planning needs can be met by the NI Executive, with the support of the Irish and UK governments.

Dr Conor Patterson, President of Newry Chamber, said: "Newry Chamber is delighted to have welcomed both the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins MLA and Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald MLA to The Whistledown Hotel for a discussion on the issues impacting our local economy and how we can work collaboratively with the NI Executive to realise the ambitions of the Greater Newry Area."

He added: "Today's event provided a platform for positive engagement with two local Ministers and explored how we can unlock Newry's significant economic potential through collaboration between business, NI Government Departments and Governments in Dublin and London."

Michael Savage, CEO of Newry Chamber, said: "Greater Newry is on the cusp of a decade of huge economic opportunity if the significant challenges we face around infrastructure, skills and Government supports can be overcome through a collaborative approach between business and NI Executive Ministers."

Mr Savage added: "Our strategic location on the border on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor provides businesses in Greater Newry with exciting opportunities around Dual Market Access. The Chamber will continue to work closely with local Ministers to find solutions to unlock and realise our economic potential and continue to work on potential cross-border funding solutions to meet the challenges we face particularly around wastewater capacity."

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA pointed to recent investment in the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise rail service, including a £548m fleet upgrade with around £200 million coming from her Department, as evidence of progress on cross-border connectivity. She also reaffirmed her commitment to the A1 junctions and Southern Relief Road, describing both as hugely beneficial for the Greater Newry area. On wastewater, she said she was pleased that NI Water had identified new solutions to unlocking connections in the Newry area, providing capacity for approximately 400 new connections covering both housing and business premises and enabling development for up to ten years based on currently identified projects.