Irish delegation strengthens ties with Birmingham

Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Growth Company recently welcomed a special delegation of civic dignitaries and business leaders from County Clare and other parts of Ireland. This visit was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the economic and cultural bonds between Birmingham and Ireland. 

The delegation followed a successful visit to County Clare earlier this year, led by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. The aim was to showcase the business investment and technological opportunities in the West Midlands. Among the attendees was Orla McBreen, the Irish Deputy Ambassador to the UK, along with representatives from leading Irish tech companies, the County Clare Municipal Council, and other key stakeholders. UK government officials were also present during the visit, with representatives from the Department of Business and Trade and members of the UK embassy to Ireland. 

The programme highlighted the achievements of Irish companies like Version One and County Clare head-quartered AICO, which have made significant investments in Birmingham, home to the UK’s fastest-growing tech sector. These success stories really underscored why the city is such a great place for innovation and business growth. 

The event also gave a spotlight to the Global Growth Programme, which supports international companies looking to establish a presence in the UK. This initiative offers a range of benefits, including dedicated account management, tailored guidance, sponsored office space, and access to essential industry networks and resources. 

Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed insightful business case studies from Version One and AICO, a lively roundtable discussion on business growth and collaboration, and a rewarding tour of the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter. The visit wrapped up with a warm and welcoming civic and business reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, providing plenty of opportunities for networking and building stronger ties between the West Midlands and Ireland. 

From a trade perspective, the UK and Ireland have a strong connection, with the total value of goods and services traded between them reaching £83.6 billion by mid-2024. The UK exported £54 billion worth of goods to Ireland, while imports from Ireland were nearly £30 billion. In the West Midlands alone, there were 37 confirmed export wins with Ireland in the 2023/24 financial year, totalling £72.7 million. 

When it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI), the numbers are equally impressive. In 2022, the UK had £38.3 billion in outward FDI to Ireland and received £21.5 billion in inward FDI from Ireland. Additionally, over 37,000 UK businesses exported goods to Ireland, and more than 18,000 imported goods from Ireland in 2023. 

This visit highlights the growing relationship between Birmingham and Ireland, setting the stage for even more collaboration and mutual growth in the future.