AMAZON has claimed its investment in Northern Ireland since 2010 has passed the £80 million mark.
The figure was detailed in a new report produced by the global tech and retail giant, exploring its regional activity across the UK.
Amazon said the figure includes its capital and operational expenditure, further claiming that its activity in the north has been worth £90m in GDP since 2010.
The tech giant’s operation remains relatively small in the north, with just 40 staff, largely based in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
That is set to expand with a new 75,000 sq ft logistics centre in Portadown.
Around 20 permanent jobs are expected to be created by the new hub, with Amazon expecting 100 “driver opportunities”.
Its growing presence in Northern Ireland is demonstrated by the rising number of businesses which sell their products through its online marketplace.
Amazon said it now has 1,000 “selling partners” in the north.
The tech giant said those firms recorded around £40m in export sales last year.
Amazon is also set to create around 500 jobs in its first warehouse in the Republic.
The 630,000 sq ft facility at the Baldonnell Business Park in Dublin is due to open in the first half of 2022.
It’s thought that when operational, the warehouse will be capable of servicing the Amazon operation across the island, potentially opening up new products for Northern Ireland customers, which are currently restricted by the protocol and the long-standing ban on the air transport of certain lithium-ion and flammable products.
Commenting on the new report, Amazon’s UK country manager, John Boumphrey said: “Our new Amazon UK economic impact hub shows our ongoing commitment and contribution to Northern Ireland at a local level for the first time.
“The region has been a fantastic home for us for many years, and we are excited by the opportunity to continue to invest, invent and have a positive impact in the local community.”
