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Doing business & staying in touch

Businesspeople are generally expected to dress smartly (suits are the norm). Appointments should be made and the exchange of business cards is customary. A knowledge of English is essential.

Belfast
Meetings are normally arranged from 0900 in offices, alternatively in restaurants or pubs for early afternoon appointments. Visitors should always be punctual (neither early nor late) and wear either a suit or a jacket and tie. If a late morning meeting is arranged, it is good practice to issue a lunch invitation - whoever extends the invitation usually pays for the meal.

Normal Belfast business hours are 0900-1730. The Irish are famed for their sense of humour and the ability to poke fun at themselves and many people take a fun-loving, light-hearted look at life. Nonetheless visitors should avoid any criticism of, or jokes about the people or their culture, and be aware that subjects such as religion and “The Troubles” can be particularly sensitive topics.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1700/1800.

Economy: 

Manufacturing has, in common with the rest of the UK, been in long-term decline, although a steady stream of government contracts has enabled it to survive in a reduced form. Agriculture has performed steadily, underpinned by the policies of the European Union. The public sector is now the largest single part of the economy and subventions from the British government in one form or another account for the bulk of the province's income.

The political settlement in the province has presented a number of new opportunities for Northern Ireland's economy, as well as a number of problems. The most important of these is tourism, which is particularly sensitive to political circumstances in the province and has been largely depressed until recently. However, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland now market themselves jointly overseas under the Tourism Ireland banner and tourism in Northern Ireland has seen growth in recent years.
For information on conferences and conventions, contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (www.discovernorthernireland.com/convention).

Telephone: 

There are numerous public call boxes. Some boxes take coins, others phonecards or credit cards.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is mostly good, but can be patchy in rural areas.

Internet: 

There are Internet cafés and centres in most urban areas. Some multimedia phone booths, often located at main railway stations and airports, offer touch-screen access.

Media: 

The media are free and able to report on all subjects. The variety of publications reflects the full spectrum of political opinion.

The main Northern Irish daily newspapers are the Belfast Telegraph and the Irish News. There are numerous local newspapers produced in larger towns around the province. UK national and Republic of Ireland newspapers are also readily available, some produced in localised editions. All the national UK TV stations are available in Northern Ireland. BBC Northern Ireland is a publicly owned station; UTV is a commercial station.

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