Dublin Belfast corridor panel moves into delivery phase

The Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor Industry Advisory Panel has completed its first year and set priorities for the next phase of its work, with the focus now shifting to delivery across the cross-border region.

Created to bring business input into the development of the corridor, the panel held its fifth meeting in Newry at First Derivative. In its first year, it focused on three themes: corridor branding and placemaking, enabling infrastructure, and collaboration.

Discussions covered infrastructure and connectivity, water capacity, energy security, digital broadband infrastructure, the movement of people and investment attraction. Those issues helped shape the panel's view of the main opportunities and constraints facing the economic corridor between Dublin and Belfast.

The next stage is expected to place greater emphasis on turning those priorities into practical action. Members agreed to work with corridor partners to support infrastructure, investment and collaboration across the region, while increasing engagement with businesses.

The Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor represents more than 2.2 million people and about 38% of the island's business base. It was established as a cross-border partnership bringing together eight local authorities, universities and other stakeholders focused on economic growth, innovation and investment.

Host investment

The latest panel meeting was hosted by First Derivative at its headquarters in Newry. The company recently announced a £15.3 million investment in a new AI and Fintech Centre of Excellence, expected to create 100 jobs.

The investment was cited during the meeting as an example of the business activity taking place in the corridor region. Newry is one of several locations seeking to build on growth in digital industries and cross-border commercial links.

Chris Owers, Senior Director at First Derivative, said: "We were delighted to welcome the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor Industry Advisory Panel to our headquarters in Newry. Our recent investment in a new AI and Fintech Centre of Excellence reflects our confidence in the talent, innovation capability and growth potential that exists across the region.

"We welcomed the opportunity to host this important discussion on how industry can work alongside public sector and academic partners to strengthen the competitiveness and economic potential of the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor."

Delivery phase

The panel was established in late 2025 as a forum for industry leaders from sectors including transport, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, technology, construction, professional services, food production and life sciences. Its remit is to identify opportunities, inform priorities and support long-term economic growth across the corridor.

Its first year was largely devoted to identifying what industry saw as the most pressing issues. The next phase will focus more directly on backing projects and partnerships that can help move those priorities forward.

David Conway, Chair of the DBEC Industry Advisory Panel, said: "It has been a busy and productive first year for the Industry Advisory Panel, and I would like to thank industry members for their valuable contributions, which have helped shape our understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the corridor.

"This input has informed our priorities across three core pillars: infrastructure, communication and collaboration. The next phase will focus on translating these insights into practical action. We will champion the infrastructure investment needed to support growth, strengthen communication and promotion with businesses and partners to highlight the true potential of the corridor, and foster collaboration across all sectors to promote the corridor as a location for investment, innovation and enterprise, and a great place to do business.

"Our shared ambition is to develop a more connected, competitive and internationally recognised economic region from Dublin to Belfast, supporting investment, employment and sustainable economic growth across the corridor."