Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has completed a diplomatic visit to Dublin and Belfast, setting the stage for a new era of economic collaboration between the North West of England and Ireland.
With £2 billion of trade flowing between the North West of England and Ireland annually, the visit focused on securing major investment opportunities, expanding business links, and accelerating progress in green technology and innovation.
It also aligned with Rotheram’s pledge to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Liverpool City Region by 25% before the end of the decade.
The trip also laid the groundwork for a major trade delegation in November, when Mayor Rotheram will return with business leaders “to finalise trade agreements, unlock investment, and create high-value jobs on both sides of the Irish Sea.”
Ireland already has a consulate in Manchester.
With £300 million of Liverpool City Region exports heading to Ireland annually, the Liverpool Freeport and Innovation Zone offer a huge opportunity for Irish businesses to establish UK operations, while also opening up new markets for Liverpool-based firms.
Discussions also covered ways to reduce trade barriers, improve port connectivity, and enhance logistics.
“Liverpool and Ireland share a history that goes back centuries – but this visit was about the future,” said Rotheram.
“With the right partnerships, we can build a stronger, greener, more prosperous economy on both sides of the Irish Sea. Whether it’s trade, renewable energy, or digital innovation, we have so much potential to unlock together – and we’re determined to make it happen.”
Liverpool City Region said that as Ireland’s fourth-largest trading partner, it is positioned as the UK’s gateway to Irish markets, particularly as businesses navigate post-Brexit trade.
Rotheram met Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris to discuss expanding trade, attracting Irish investment into Liverpool’s Freeport and Innovation Zone, and aligning on sustainability projects.
Meetings with Dublin’s Lord Mayor Emma Blain and Belfast’s Lord Mayor Micky Murray focused on strengthening business and tourism links, positioning Liverpool as a key trade and logistics hub between the UK and Ireland.
Rotheram also met executives from Randox, FinTru, Microsoft, and IBM, some of Ireland’s biggest employers in tech and life sciences, to explore new research collaborations, attract FDI, and secure joint funding in renewable energy projects.
Beyond energy, the visit reinforced Liverpool’s growing digital economy.