Liverpool bids to boost Irish investment with high profile mission to Belfast and Dublin

The Liverpool City Region has set a course for a new era of economic collaboration between the North West and Ireland following a high profile diplomatic visit to Dublin and Belfast by Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Mayor.

With £2bn in trade flowing between the North West and Ireland annually, the visit focused on securing major investment opportunities, expanding business links, and accelerating progress in green technology and innovation.

It also aligns with Mayor Rotheram’s pledge to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Liverpool City Region by 25% before the end of the decade, ensuring the region attracts world-leading companies, high quality jobs, and long term economic growth.

The trip also laid the groundwork for a 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.

He said: “Liverpool and Ireland share a history that goes back centuries – but this visit was about the future.

“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.”

As Ireland’s fourth-largest trading partner, the Liverpool City Region is uniquely positioned as the UK’s gateway to Irish markets, particularly as businesses navigate post-Brexit trade. Mayor Rotheram met with 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.

Steve Rotheram and Tánaiste Simon Harris

Mayor Rotheram also met with senior leaders 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.

The Mayor added: “This visit was about more than just meetings – it was about creating real opportunities. We’re building bridges that will translate into jobs, investment, and economic growth. That’s what devolution is all about – giving our region the power to shape its own future.”

Liverpool City Region is prominent in clean energy innovation, with major investments in tidal power, offshore wind, and hydrogen technology. This aligns with Ireland’s ambitious sustainability goals, and discussions explored joint investment in renewable energy projects that could unlock millions in funding and create thousands of highly skilled jobs.

Beyond energy, the visit reinforced Liverpool’s rapidly growing digital economy. With the city region home to world class research in AI, life sciences, and advanced materials, conversations with Irish tech firms focused on joint research, business partnerships, and scaling up digital infrastructure between the city region and Ireland.

With £300m 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 is often called “Ireland’s second capital”, with an estimated 75% of Liverpudlians having Irish heritage. Mayor Rotheram’s visit to EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin highlighted the historic migration links between the two regions, reinforcing Liverpool’s unique position as a bridge between Ireland and the UK.

He said: “Our cultural links are a huge asset – not just in tourism, but in business too. By strengthening our ties, we’re not just celebrating our past but ensuring that our future destinies are intertwined, too – driving economic growth on both sides of the Irish Sea.”

The visit marks the beginning of a renewed era of partnership between Liverpool City Region and Ireland. Mayor Rotheram will return to Ireland in November, leading a key business delegation to finalise trade agreements, expand investment opportunities, and create new jobs for both regions.

“We’ve got big ambitions – and Ireland is a key partner in making them happen. Now it’s time to turn these partnerships into real results,” he said.