Brexit and the Opportunities for Northern Ireland

31st January 2020

Today is D-Day for the start of the United Kingdom’s transition out of the single market. We have seen Nigel and pals flying their flags in the European Parliament unwittingly knowing the mess that he may have possibly caused for those on the lower end of the earnings scale across the UK. However Northern Ireland is given a unique opportunity to tab into an unknown market. Under Mr Johnsons deal, NI will effectively stay in the EU’s single market for goods but Stormont can vote to end that arrangement. At the end of the transition period in December 2020, NI will continue to follow the rules set by the EU on agricultural and manufactured goods, while the rest of the UK will not.  The British government promises ‘’unfettered access for Northern Irelands businesses to the whole of the UK’’ and to have it written in law for 1 January 2021. In my opinion this creates a global opportunity for NI, being based strategically between the EU and UK markets. Not to mention its relationship with the US for investment. If Stormont is able to recognise these opportunities, we could see untold investment into NI over the next 10 years. Making Northern Ireland a very attractive opportunity for foreign investment