Newry Chamber visits Stormont

Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade together with other business bodies and the Community and Voluntary Sector visited Stormont this week to make a final plea to local political leaders, and the two  governments to find a way forward for creating a power-sharing government that works for all the people of Northern Ireland.

Michael McKeown, President of Newry Chamber commented "Devolved government is the only option to ensure that our business community continues to grow, attracts   new investment and delivers  job creation on the ground.  As we unite with our fellow business groups and representatives from the community and voluntary sector, our message is clear.  We unequivocally state that the best way forward for everyone in Northern Ireland is through a local power-sharing government which needs to progress corporation tax, restore business certainty and ensure that Northern Ireland has a strong voice at the Brexit negotiations". 

The business and community and voluntary groups presented an open letter to all members of the Northern Ireland Assembly - calling on local politicians to find a way forward in creating a power-sharing government and a local Executive that works for all people in Northern Ireland.

 The bodies that signed up to the letter

. Confederation of British Industry NI (CBI)

·  NI Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)

· Ulster Farmers Union

· Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce

· Institute of Directors (IoD) NI

·  Federation of Small Business (FSB) NI

· Queen’s University Belfast

· Ulster University

· Construction Employers Federation (CEF) NI

·  NI Retail Consortium

·  Retail NI 

· Freight Transport Association (FTA)

· Hospitality Ulster

·  NI Food & Drink Association (NIFDA)

· Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade

· Quarry Products Association NI (QPANI)

·  Manufacturing NI

· Women in Business

·  Londonderry Chamber of Commerce