Enterprise Ireland delegation visiting Liverpool today to strengthen bonds with the region

SEVEN ENTERPRISE Ireland client companies will today take part in a visit to Liverpool in an effort to expand and strengthen ties between the region and Ireland.

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy, will lead the one-day trade visit to city, with the aim of  further strengthening Ireland’s relationship with the North West of England and in particular, the Liverpool City Region - home to the UK base of a growing number of Irish companies.

The UK remains Ireland’s largest export market, with Enterprise Ireland companies exporting to the value of €7.5bn in 2020.

The delegation and Enterprise Ireland client companies will visit the Port of Liverpool and UK ports operator Peel Ports, and a meeting will take place with Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The historic and cultural ties between Ireland and Liverpool, and the strong partnerships and sectoral alignment that exist across industries will be discussed.

The day also includes a visit to two Enterprise Ireland companies operating in Ellesmere Port and St. Helens, CRS Refrigeration and Bevcraft Group.

Commenting on the trip, Minister Troy said "Ireland continues to be a committed partner to the UK, and to the trading relationships that exist between our two nations."

"Our historical and cultural ties are strong in Liverpool and the North West of England, and this visit demonstrates Ireland’s ongoing commitment to the region.

“Ireland has built on its representation here recently, with Enterprise Ireland now having an office in Manchester, and the opening of the Consulate for the North of England earlier this year."

He also said the Irish government "encourages Irish companies to consider how they can work with UK businesses and authorities" in the region".

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool said the Liverpool City Region has always been an "open and outward-facing place" and that he wants to use the "deep, historic links" with Ireland to "help build a strong prosperous future for people on both sides of the Irish Sea."

"While the UK is still coming to terms with the reality of being outside of the European Union, I want us to be at the forefront of trade and investment – and our ties to Ireland stronger than ever," he said.

Reporting: The Irish Post