Event Launch: Northern Ireland’s £10 Billion E-commerce Opportunity
IRP Commerce commissioned a new report “Hidden in Plain Sight?”, that shows an opportunity for innovation, exporting and trading for Northern Ireland and celebrated its completion with an event in Catalyst’s Innovation Centre.
Created in collaboration with economist Richard Johnston, the report estimates that by 2030, e-commerce could contribute £10 billion in gross value added (GVA) and support 180,000 jobs, which is equivalent to 17% of the total jobs in the region.
Joined by key figures from the world of business, trade and e-commerce, the launch event highlighted the opportunity e-commerce brings to all parts of Northern Ireland, and aligns with the objectives of various government departments and organisations, including InterTradeIreland, Invest NI, and local councils, in areas such as innovation, exports, employment creation, and wealth generation.
"E-commerce could contribute £10 billion in GVA and support 180,000 jobs"
This is the most detailed Northern Ireland e-commerce report to date focussing attention on the scale and breadth of the industry - and that this growth sector will play a significant role in the economic development of Northern Ireland. Its findings break the perception that e-commerce jobs are limited to cities and digital roles indicating that many firms in all areas across Northern Ireland are benefiting from e-commerce and generating jobs at different skill and qualification levels.
The report highlights the existing impact and details the future growth opportunity – revealing that the “Northern Irish e-commerce economy” as a percentage of GDP, is much greater than anyone thought.
IRP founder, Daniel Loughlin said,
“IRP believes this report reveals the scale of the growing opportunity that e-commerce offers to Northern Ireland.
If e-commerce is built on trading, exporting, profits and innovation then Northern Ireland will become a centre for e-commerce with the associated benefits of export-led economic growth.
This report will create discussion and further research into e-commerce - we are greatly encouraged by the feedback on this novel study.”
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT AT IRPCOMMERCE.COM
