Dual Market Access opens up doors to a potential trading market worth over £6 trillion

Pictured (L-R) are Peter Curran, Head of Dual Market Access, Invest NI; Ethna McNamee, Western Regional Manager, Invest NI; Michael McGrath, Owner, Crushing Screening Parts Limited; Councillor Dominic Molloy, Chair of the Local Economic Partnership of Mid Ulster District Council; Jonathan Walsh, Director & Trade Consultant, Fortior Insight.

Dual Market Access gives Northern Ireland manufacturing businesses a competitive advantage over GB and EU counterparts thanks to frictionless trading arrangements, opening up a potential multi-trillion-pound trade market. 

This was the message shared with Mid Ulster businesses at a workshop hosted by Invest Northern Ireland in partnership with Mid Ulster District Council and Dungannon & South Tyrone Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

Dual market access allows businesses in Northern Ireland to trade goods freely with both Great Britain and the European Union, a market worth over £6 trillion. This unique position means goods can move from Northern Ireland to GB and the EU without customs checks or tariffs, offering businesses a competitive advantage in both markets. 

Peter Curran, Head of Dual Market Access at Invest NI, said: “Northern Ireland is the only region in the world with Dual Market Access for goods to Great Britain and the European Union. This position gives local businesses a competitive advantage over their GB and EU counterparts, allowing them to trade quicker and easier. Our unbeatable market access for goods manufactured in Northern Ireland also offers a huge opportunity for inward investors, giving them a unique edge. 

“NI exports to the EU are rising, unlike the rest of the UK, with potential for further growth. We want to see businesses take advantage of free market access to Great Britain and the 27 member countries of the EU and to consider how they can use this position to grow their business”. 

The event took place at Hill of the O'Neill & Ranfurly House where companies also heard from Jonathan Walsh, Director & Trade Consultant at Fortior Insight, about maximising opportunities, minimising risks, and understanding the Windsor framework. 

Michael McGrath, Owner of Crushing Screening Parts Limited in Maghera, which supplies parts such as rollers, hydraulic pumps and fans, spoke about his experience of Dual Market Access. He said: “Dual Market Access means that there is no difference selling our products to Birmingham or Germany – for both markets we face no tariffs, custom declarations, origin requirements or other regulatory approvals. This gives us a huge potential customer base of over 500 million people in GB and the EU and enables us to fulfil orders quicker than our competitors. Invest NI has supported us in our export journey so far and their advice has given us the confidence and knowledge to grow our business beyond Northern Ireland into Europe and further afield.” 

Ethna McNamee, Western Regional Manager at Invest NI, added: “It’s more important than ever that local businesses realise the opportunities in front of them presented by Dual Market Access, and that they seize these opportunities to explore new markets, boost supply chains and grow their business. Our Western regional team can support businesses at all stages, whether you're a start-up looking for advice to scale your business, taking the first step on your export journey, or looking to think more strategically and boost export sales. I encourage local businesses to take advantage of the support available and get in touch with our regional team.”