On 24 February, the UK and European Union formally adopted the Windsor Framework, a Brexit deal aiming to make trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK easier.

Paul Butterworth, Interim CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said:

“Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid welcome the ongoing adoption of the Windsor Framework. The easing in certain regulations will allow Wales to trade more efficiently with Northern Ireland.

“Ireland and Northern Ireland are major trade partners for Wales and this framework will encourage more Welsh businesses to trade with Northern Ireland specifically and Ireland more generally.

“There is still greater cooperation to be had between Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, especially on energy in the Celtic Sea. Hopefully the Windsor Framework can pave the way for greater government and business collaboration as both work towards net zero.”

Responding to news of the ratification of the Windsor Framework, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

“The joint EU and UK decision to give formal effect to the Windsor Agreement is another important step in improving trading conditions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

“For the BCC, the priority is now making sure the new customs and paperwork arrangements, plus the trusted trader schemes, work smoothly for businesses either side of the Irish Sea.

“We look forward to close engagement with HMRC over the coming months to make sure the on-the-ground reality of this deal produces tangible benefits for firms.”