Department for the Economy Website (external, opens in a new tab)

MAPS

Market Access Policy Simulator

For further information about this application, visit NI Business Info

How to use MAPS:

  1. Using the first drop down menu, select whether you are exporting services to, or importing services from, the Republic of Ireland.
  2. Using the second drop down menu, select the services sector you are interested in e.g. accounting services.
  3. Using the final drop down menu, select the scenario in which you would like information to be displayed from e.g. trade under WTO terms.

Results: You will be presented with the following:

  • Ad Valorem Equivalents (AVEs) for each scenario
  • Examples of the restrictions facing businesses as a result of the selected scenario
Term Explanation
Select Export/Import Using the drop down menu, select whether you are interested in exporting services to, or importing services from, the Republic of Ireland.
Select Sector Using the drop down menu, select the services sector you are interested in e.g. accounting services
Select Scenario Using the final drop down menu, select the scenario in which you would like information to be displayed from e.g. trade under WTO terms.
Ad Valorem Equivalents (AVEs) These are defined by the OECD as “a charge levied on imports, defined in terms of a fixed percentage of value”. AVEs are essentially tariff equivalents on services trade which are the result of the regulatory barriers faced by exporters when accessing a foreign market.
AVE Baseline This represents the current tariff equivalent of regulatory barriers on services traded between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland during the transition period.
AVE Change from Baseline This represents the percentage point change in the tariff equivalent value, in a scenario where the UK and EU sign a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) or if the UK leaves without a deal, as a result of the regulatory barriers placed on services traded between NI and the Republic of Ireland.
Free Trade Agreement The FTA scenario is based on the rules and regulations that could apply to services trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the event of the UK signing a Free Trade Agreement with the EU similar to that which has previously been agreed between the EU and Canada.
WTO The WTO scenario sets out the rules and regulations which would govern services trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the event the UK and EU do not agree a free trade agreement before the end of the transition period.
Restriction This seeks to represent the current and possible future restrictions faced by businesses trading services between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in each of the outlined scenarios.

Simulator Tool

AVE Baseline (%)AVE FTA (%)Change: Baseline to FTA (pp)AVE WTO (%)Change: Baseline to WTO (pp)
4.429.274.859.274.85

Restrictions on Foreign Entry

Sub-SectorMeasuresAnswerInfo
Audit Board of directors: at least one must be a licensed professional (auditing)Yes Info
Audit Board of directors: majority must be licensed professionals (auditing)Yes Info
Audit Manager must be a licensed professional (auditing)Yes Info

Sub-SectorMeasuresAnswerInfo
Audit A temporary licensing system is in place (auditing)No Info
Audit Foreign professionals are required to take a local examination (auditing)Yes Info

Sub-SectorMeasuresAnswerInfo
There are no measures recorded.

Sub-SectorMeasuresAnswerInfo
There are no measures recorded.

Sub-SectorMeasuresAnswerInfo
There are no measures recorded.


Sources:

FTA restrictions: Developing Trade Consultants commissioned by the Department for the Economy, Ireland used as Proxy.[1]

Baseline restrictions: OECD STRI Intra EEA, Ireland used as Proxy.[2]

No Deal restrictions: OECD STRI MFN, Ireland used as Proxy.[3]

All AVE Data: Developing Trade Consultants commissioned by the Department for the Economy.[4]