Statement from Belfast Chamber regarding financial package

Simon Hamilton, CEO of Belfast Chamber said: “Over the last number of days, Belfast Chamber has joined with other chambers of commerce and business organisations from across Northern Ireland to press the Executive to introduce a package of support for local businesses to help them cope with the impact that the COVID-19 outbreak is already having on the economy and will undoubtedly have for some time to come.  The £100 million of support announced this evening by the Finance Minister is a welcome first step in the right direction.  It is clear that if business is to pull through this really challenging period and we are to protect jobs, then businesses will need much more support from the Executive.  Our businesses need the same support that their counterparts in Great Britain are getting ad the Chancellor’s announcement today makes more funding available which needs to get to business in Belfast and across the region urgently.”