In Dublin, he met with the Flemish Prime Minister, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Labor and Trade Minister Leo Vardacker and Culture and Tourism Minister Catherine Martin.

But economic issues were also discussed in the Irish capital. So Jambon also visited Dublin Port.

After Brexit, the volume of trade in exports from Flanders to Ireland increased significantly. In 2021, Flanders exported almost €3.11 billion worth of goods and merchandise to Ireland, 28.23% more than in 2020.

“Hold it with both hands”

“With trade between Flanders and Ireland worth more than €20 billion in 2021, it is clear that our two economies have a lot to offer each other. “Flanders and Ireland have felt the consequences of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, but this change has also brought us closer together,” said Jambon, addressing the Flemish population living and working in Ireland.

MP Jambon noted that Flanders, with its geographical location and ports, is now more interesting for Ireland and that direct maritime links will increase significantly after Brexit. In particular, the Antwerp-Ziebrug merger port observed more shipping traffic to Irish ports.

Many transport companies today accept slightly longer journey times on ferries to avoid the harsh customs and other restrictions of transiting Britain by land. Annual freight carried this way has increased from 3.5 million tonnes a year before Brexit to 5.5 million tonnes a year. There is still potential here, MP Jambon stated: “We want to grab it with both hands.”