As we embark on the uncharted frontier of 2023, the Northern Ireland Space sector is expecting to climb to new heights. In the final weeks of 2022, it was confirmed that Northern Ireland is to host the UK Space Conference for the first time, an exciting event scheduled for 21-23 November 2023. The conference is likely to see astronauts, global space agencies and the wider space community descend on Northern Ireland, with 2500-3000 people to be hosted in our local hospitality sector.

This month, through the collaboration of the Department for Business & Trade, Invest Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Office, and with the support of countless business leaders from across Northern Ireland, the region was showcased on the global stage.

In the realm of space technology innovation, Northern Ireland stands as a unique region where industry and academia seamlessly collaborate. Our dynamic landscape, flexible, highly skilled workforce and rich history of engineering and technology excellence converge to propel us into the future of space exploration.

Following the signing of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (‘TCA’) there are some key changes to the UK’s data protection regime that organisations must be aware of.

As Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023 comes to an end, our thoughts turn to the future of entrepreneurship and providing the type of support business founders need to succeed.

Companies looking for a foothold in both the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) markets should take a close look at Northern Ireland, which has unfettered tariff-free access to both.

In the competitive world of fintech, Northern Ireland is a leading global hub, earning worldwide recognition for its fintech ecosystem. The region's strategic blend of home-grown innovators and major international financial services companies has positioned us at the forefront of the industry's recent growth.

Rachel Sankannawar from Invest Northern Ireland discusses the once-in-generation opportunity presented by the Green Economy.

In the fast-changing landscape of business, investing in Research and Development (R&D) and innovation is not merely a choice; it is a strategic necessity to achieve sustained growth and competitiveness. As the Director of Innovation and R&D at Invest Northern Ireland, I am convinced of the transformative power that innovation holds for businesses, and the pivotal role innovation plays in the growth of our economy.

Increasingly, consumers look to brand values and ethics as part of their purchasing decisions. They consider issues of sustainability, inclusivity and social impact alongside more traditional elements such as price and quality. Those businesses that are focused on the green economy or are working to ensure their products are accessible to everyone have an inbuilt competitive advantage.