Invest NI hails 'exceptional' 2017 with 11k jobs created despite Stormont lockout

[BelfastTelegraph.co.uk](#) Business Headlines Tuesday 19 June 2018 Today's top story [Progress: Alastair Hamilton]( [Invest NI hails 'exceptional' 2017 with 11k jobs created despite Stormont lockout]( Invest NI has described its performance in a year without a sitting Executive as "exceptional" as it helps add nearly 11,000 jobs. Main Headlines [Gary Hanley, senior vice-president of the Americas, Invest Northern Ireland, and Greg Strobel, HHAeXchange chief executive officer]( [US software firm opens Belfast tech hub with promise of 50 jobs]( By Ryan McAleer A US software company has opened a new technology hub in Belfast employing 50 highly-paid staff. [McDonald’s Connswater franchisee Paul McDermott]( [The Big Interview with Northern Ireland McDonald's pioneer Paul McDermott]( By Margaret Canning It's been a busy time for McDonald's franchisee Paul McDermott. His McDonald's restaurant in Connswater, east Belfast, is part of the first roll-out in Northern Ireland of a partnership of a 'McDelivery' service between McDonald's and Uber Eats - a division of online taxi company Uber. [Carl Frampton’s action against former manager Barry McGuigan will be held in Belfast]( [Chris Wallace: Why the gloves are off for Frampton and McGuigan following judge's decision]( By Chris Wallace, litigation solicitor, Worthingtons Solicitors Mr Justice Horner has decided that Carl Frampton's action against his former boxing manager, Barry McGuigan, can be heard in Belfast. [Scotland is keeping close to Brexit negotiations]( [John Simpson: Why Scottish can teach us some lessons about Brexit]( By John Simpson The economic consequence of the UK Brexit decision for Northern Ireland is difficult to anticipate. Whether the business community should prepare for a complete break from the single market and customs union or whether there will be an agreement to retain some of the trading advantages but not in a comprehensive package, is still to be negotiated. The best hope is that a working arrangement, short of being a full member of the single market, will be found. [Michael O’Leary]( [View from Dublin: Trump effect taking toll on Irish investment from US]( By Richard Curran When IDA Ireland chief executive Martin Shanahan says anything about US multinationals, we have to sit up and take notice. [An artist’s impression of the soon-to-open Grand Central Hotel in Belfast]( [Economy Watch: As Northern Ireland tourism enjoys boom, retail close to hitting panic button]( By Andrew Webb, director at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Two important sectors for our city economy - retail and tourism - are experiencing vastly contrasting fortunes at the moment. [Russell Kerr, UX design lead, Whitespace; Ann Trueman, StepSpace manager, and Danielle Hanvey of Causeway Asset Management]( [Commerical Property: Collaborative office space first of its kind in Belfast city centre]( By Emma Deighan The first-of-a-kind shared office space has been launched in Belfast by Causeway Asset Management. [McAleer & Rushe constructed the 1,000-bed Catherine House scheme in Portsmouth]( [Co Tyrone developers win top industry award]( By Staff Reporter Co Tyrone developer and contractor McAleer & Rushe has won international project of the year for a £50m student accommodation project in the south of England. [Councils ‘should ensure prompt payment of invoices’]( [Tina McKenzie: How local government can help out businesses]( By Tina McKenzie, FSB Regional Policy Chair The business community in Northern Ireland is facing unprecedented challenges. We have found ourselves at the crux of the ongoing Brexit negotiations, as the UK and the EU grapple over the complexities of how the Irish border will be navigated. This uncertainty is no doubt impacting business confidence across the island, hampering local entrepreneurs and potential investors. [INM]( [Contact us]( | [Privacy Statement]( Follow us on [Facebook]( [Twiiter]( [Google Plus]( Get more [belfasttelegraph.co.uk/newsletters]( [Digital Edition >>]( ABOUT THIS EMAIL This email is from BelfastTelegraph.co.uk part of Independent News & Media PLC. You received this email because you have signed up for the BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Weekly Business Digest Newsletter. To unsubscribe from the Weekly Business Digest Newsletter, please [click here](. Copyright - 2018 INM Ltd, | Belfast Telegraph House | 33 Clarendon Road | Clarendon Dock | Belfast | BT1 3BG | Company number 1908967 All Rights Reserved