Following a highly successful mission to Belfast last year, NI Chamber has come together with Dublin and Cork Chamber as part of a tri-region partnership focused on fostering deeper cooperation and connectivity. Delegations made up of business leaders and politicians from across the island of Ireland gathered in Dublin this week.
This initiative led by Dublin, Cork and NI Chamber saw attendees visit Dublin Port, the hub of international trade to Ireland, as well as Accenture’s generative AI studio “The Dock” and An Post’s new cutting-edge HQ the Exo Building.
The initiative was welcomed by Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, who met with the group, saying:
“This collaboration, led by Chambers of Commerce, is an excellent example of the kind of partnership which will help drive economic prosperity across the island.
“Its aims of boosting connectivity, developing strong tourism links, securing investment in ports and fostering collaboration between industry and educators across the island align with my department’s own Economic Plan. It is an important, business-led initiative and we look forward to continued engagement with the group on areas of mutual potential and shared benefit.”
Speaking at the event, Cat McCusker, President, NI Chamber added:
“At NI Chamber, we are really excited by the enormous potential of this partnership with our colleagues in Dublin and Cork. We are committed to working together to accelerate the business synergies which exist among our members and make the strongest business case possible for investment in economic game changers which will deliver shared benefits.
“Businesses in Northern Ireland are already leading with great ambition. Since this partnership was launched last year, we have welcomed Belfast Harbour’s transformation strategy, which will develop a vibrant economic hub for the region, as well as the opening of Grand Central Station, a multi-million-pound investment in our future connectivity. That is an addition to the many high-potential businesses investing in areas like AI and collaborating to realise the benefits of green growth. This week in Dublin, the objective is to share our own experience and crucially, develop tangible ways to drive forward prosperity and competitiveness as partners.”
Together, Dublin, NI and Cork Chambers are focused on progressing five key items:
- Higher-Speed Rail Cork-Dublin-Belfast: Aiming to create a higher-speed rail link that will significantly reduce travel times and enhance regional connectivity.
- Funding Allocation for Ports: Securing investments to future-proof the three major ports, ensuring they can support economic growth and industrial advancements.
- All-Island Innovation Clusters: Promoting collaboration between industry and education to foster innovation and create competitive clusters across the island.
- Enhancing Tourism Links: Developing strong tourism links by harnessing regional strengths
- Restoration of Cork-Belfast Flights: Restoring domestic flights between Belfast and Cork will enhance business and tourism links, making the island of Ireland a more attractive destination for visitors and investors.