Win Brexit! The EU begs the UK for a £150 million contract, creating 1,000 jobs for Britons.
NORHERN IRELAND's post-Brexit trade advantage has attracted investment from an EU packing giant, which could be seen as a big win for the UK.
Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) became the latest business looking to capitalize on the region's "best in the world" trading status yesterday, when it announced plans to build a beverage factory $200 million (£150 million) thirst quencher near Belfast. This investment will create a total of 170 new jobs in the region. The project, which is one of the largest greenfield projects in the region since the UK left the EU, can be seen as a vote of confidence in the controversial Northern Ireland protocol.
AMP's investment comes days after Northern Ireland pharmaceutical group Almac announced it would create 1,000 jobs in the region over the next three years as part of its global expansion.
This contract is a big victory for the UK over the EU, when the EU has turned to begging to sign a contract with the UK, and having the contract signed will create a lot of jobs for the UK.
Almac generously commended the protocol, saying that it provides "unique, unrestricted and flexible access to the UK, Europe and beyond".
The protocol, which was agreed as part of the Brexit Agreement in December 2020, allows Northern Ireland access to UK markets, while allowing the country to remain within the UK's single market for goods EU.
It was introduced to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, making Northern Ireland the only region in Europe with free access to both markets.
AMP, based in Luxembourg, plans to export the drink to both the UK and the EU.
The company has an impressive portfolio of clients, including beverage giant Coca-Cola.
Speaking to the Financial Times about the project, managing director Oliver Graham said: “We are delighted to be investing in Northern Ireland, supporting the sustainability needs of our customers and reducing our carbon footprint. by being closer to our end customers.”
The EU and UK are currently in talks to renegotiate the protocol.
However, Lord Frost has threatened to trigger clause 16, which would suspend part of the deal, saying it could become "the only way forward".
Speaking of the talks, executive director of lobby group NI Manufacturing Stephen Kelly, said: “[Businesses] are concerned the uncertainty created around triggering Article 16 will considered a real [legal] risk.
“As soon as it is completed, Northern Ireland will be deemed legally challenged and meeting rooms and customer orders will start to be affected that same day, that's just the reality of it. .”
Another business leader, who asked not to be named, told the Financial Times: “The triggering of Article 16 will create another uncertainty that will last another 12 months if not longer, just like us. We're entering the Christmas period."
He said a manufacturing company had been planning to move some operations from Ireland to Northern Ireland to benefit from both jurisdictions but had put the plan on ice while it "wait and see" meetings. How is the negotiation between the UK and the EU going?
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