Analysis

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John Simpson Opinion It’s not easy to keep UK functioning as a single market following Brexit

Leaving the European single market has become a complicated process. There are many agreements, legal requirements and informal working arrangements which were built up during the 40+ years of UK membership of the EU to unscramble.

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John Simpson Opinion The complex reality of Brexit is now sinking in

On January 1 2021 a new regulatory environment, out of Brexit, will be the new norm. After the UK finally ceases to be a member of the EU, business, farming and working in Northern Ireland all face new uncertainties.

Ann Watt Opinion Covid-19 hasn't made other challenges vanish

Having focused on tackling Covid-19 in recent months, the Northern Ireland Executive now needs to address the long-standing problems facing our economy and public services.

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Will the legacy of coronavirus lockdown be a cleaner, greener future for all in Northern Ireland?

Our towns and cities could become greener and cleaner as a legacy of lockdown, experts hope.

David Jones Opinion Steps Northern Ireland needs to take to shape up for future

Boris Johnson has announced his desire to accelerate the transformation of high streets across the UK with an influx of residential developments to fill the gaps left behind by departing retailers.

Nigel Walsh Opinion NI businesses relieved to emerge from a long hibernation

The long-awaited easing of lockdown measures is finally here and while some of us may be shifting into holiday mode for a few days, many businesses are coming out of hibernation and welcoming customers through their doors for the first time in four months. Bars, restaurants, hair salons and retail stores are back open for business and while consumers may be rejoicing at the thought of a haircut or a meal they haven't had to prepare themselves, I'm sure many business owners are still searching for the light at the end of the tunnel.

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John Simpson Opinion NI universities feeling the pinch

Graduation ceremonies and garden parties are the usual features of university calendars in early July. This year, the physical and financial environments for both local universities are severely stretched.

Diane Dodds Opinion Digital sector will help Northern Ireland recover from coronavirus crisis

Covid-19 has sent an unprecedented shock to the global economy. Those countries who adapt best will have an advantage in grasping the opportunities that emerge as a result of such massive disruption.

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John Simpson Opinion Recovery is going to be a tough test for Invest NI boss

Kevin Holland, recently appointed chief executive at Invest NI, is working on a package of recovery measures for local businesses. He is having a tough test of his ability to deal with unexpected economic developments since he took the job in autumn 2019.

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John Simpson Opinion Pharma firm Almac powers ahead to top list of profit makers

Almac Group, headquartered and controlled in Craigavon, has now become Northern Ireland’s largest profit-earning locally-controlled business.

Paul Stapleton Opinion Golden opportunity to create green economy

In these extraordinary times we could be forgiven for shifting our focus away from sustainability and green energy. Business and society has been stopped in its tracks but thankfully we are now seeing the slow return to a semblance of normality.

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Margaret Canning Opinion Expert group tasked by Stormont to lead economic recovery have unenviable task

As the number of people claiming unemployment benefits reaches 65,200 and job losses hit once unassailable sectors such as tourism and manufacturing, the economy is giving much cause for concern.

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John Simpson Opinion Northern Ireland's damaged companies need lifeboat to stay afloat

Even though businesses are reopening, there are still difficult decisions to make on how to respond to the cumulative financial crisis in businesses.

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John Simpson Opinion After Covid-19 has ended, will a better Northern Ireland emerge?

After Covid-19 has ended, will a better Northern Ireland emerge? Some old faults could be corrected, but either way progress must be made. Are we ready for serious changes and would the Executive get support for social and economic change?

Chris McCracken Opinion Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on society and economy, but offices will remain at the core of working life

Covid 19 has had a devastating impact on our society and economy, but it has also accelerated a debate about the future of work. According to the Office for National Statistics, 82% of UK businesses have continued to trade during lockdown, with millions of employees successfully working from home. The transition has been more effective than many thought possible with staff welcoming the greater flexibility, and employers starting to eye-up savings to the bottom line.

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Jo Aston Opinion North-South Interconnector decision is overdue

During this unprecedented crisis, Northern Ireland's electricity system has performed exactly as it should - reliably and securely providing an essential service needed by all.

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John Simpson Opinion NI protocol preparations still remain unfinished

The UK Government has published how it plans to deliver on the obligations accepted when the special Protocol for Ireland and Northern Ireland on relations between the EU and the UK was agreed as part of the Withdrawal Agreement on EU membership.

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Richard Ramsey Opinion What form recovery will take in Northern Ireland after coronavirus lockdown still up in air

We are now in the midst of a record-breaking period for the global economy, but for all the wrong reasons. With data now available for April, the first full month lockdown restrictions were in force in most major western nations, most indicators make for depressing reading.

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Claire McNeilly Opinion Coronavirus: Lock up changing rooms in Northern Ireland stores and you take away the spirit of the shopping spree

It's all change - except in the changing rooms.

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Margaret Canning Opinion Why 'new normal' post-coronavirus may end up prolonging any slump

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has predicted a "severe" recession as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The worlds of business and economics agree with him.

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John Simpson Opinion Auction over power supply in Ireland contained a few surprises

Northern Ireland is improving the security of electricity supply for domestic and business customers up to 2023-4.

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Margaret Canning Opinion Impact of coronavirus on NI economy will be hard to recover from even after lockdown lifted

It's tough for our political leaders to chart a way back to normality from lockdown, and it will take much longer than any of us would like it to.

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John Simpson Opinion Time to look closely at Northern Ireland Housing Executive policy

Minister for Communities Deirdre Hargey has responsibility for housing policy. Her inheritance is a confusing, expensive and heavily subsidised NI Housing Executive. Because NIHE needs to draw heavily from the public sector budget, temporising decisions are being made year on year.

Esmond Birnie Opinion Coronavirus casts dark shadow over Northern Ireland economy with risk of another prolonged recession and a badly damaged labour market

Yesterday the Office for National Statistics provided some of the first official, statistical confirmation that the UK, including Northern Ireland, is in the early stages of what will be a very deep recession.

Claire McNeilly Opinion Northern Ireland roadmap still has too many empty streets on it

Remember the days when the only thing Northern Ireland retailers had to worry about was consumer spending habits?

Margaret Canning Opinion Rooted in realism, but the plan to lift coronavirus lockdown in NI is coy about dates

As First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill set out their plan for rolling back Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland, it’s clear that there’s not going to be a quick return to how life, work and business used to be.

Eilis O'Hanlon Opinion If devolution is to mean anything, it must involve forging an approach to Covid-19 which is tailored to Northern Ireland's needs

What do you do when the Prime Minister to whom you’ve pinned your colours starts doing things that risk making you unpopular among your own voters if you follow him too closely?

Neil Hughes Opinion New ways to lead our teams

Social distancing. An expression that none of us had even considered before a few short weeks ago, and yet now it has become the central tenet of all of our lives.

Paul Murnaghan Opinion Changes to working life need cyber security

The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we all use technology and how we do business - with an acceleration towards home working.

Art O'Hagan Opinion House prices in Northern Ireland will not be badly hit when we emerge from coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus has created a "coma" in a very stable property economy.