on Thursday 5 & Friday 6 June 2025
RSVP is essential; kindly register your attendance here by Wednesday 7 May 2025 COB
Places are limited to 20 Members (first come, first served)
Northern Ireland (NI) is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. With a population of about 1.91 million it represents the smallest of the four. However, NI is ambitious to punch above its weight. NI counts among its economic strengths the service sectors, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, with a notable presence in areas such as aerospace, engineering and technology. Despite the unique challenges that the people of NI – and particularly its business community – face, they have embraced opportunities arising from the Good Friday Agreement over the past 25-plus years. The region also benefits from its unique geographical location, in particular in the context of having a foot in both the UK and EU markets. On 27 February 2023 the UK and EU agreed the Windsor Framework, providing a new set of arrangements to restore the smooth flow of trade within the UK internal market and towards the EU. With the present geopolitical uncertainty the field trip to NI will help London-based diplomats to understand the particularities in and around Belfast better. The two-day visit will include an overview of NI’s economic strengths and its ambitious economic action plan, an exchange on the implementation of the Windsor Framework, as well as meetings with senior government and parliamentary representatives. There is also enough time for networking and a tour of City Hall, Stormont Castle and Studio Ulster, rounded off with a tasting at the local Whiskey Distillery. A draft programme, provided by The Executive Office, is attached for your information. Please note that Members will need to cover their own travel costs.
We recommend that you book your flights to Belfast City Airport
Programme 5 June
| 09.00 -10.30 | Activity Tour of Belfast with Ken McIlroy Meet in Europa Hotel Lobby at 0900 | |
| 1030 – 1100 | Tour of City Hall | |
| 1100 – 1130 | Meeting with Lord Mayor of Belfast Topics – Role of Lord Mayor – Economic Agenda of Belfast | |
| 1130 – 1215 | City Deals presentation with Head of Economic Development (TBC named person | |
| 1215 – 1230 | Walk from Belfast City Hall to Invest NI | |
| 1230 – 1330 | Networking Lunch with Invest NI | |
| 1330-1430 | Briefing from Invest NI / Economy Minister, Dr CaoimheArchibald (tbc) Topics – Governments Economic Agenda – Invest proposal of INI | |
| 1430 – 1500 | Depart INI and travel to Parliament Buildings | |
| 15.00 | Meet in Great Hall Parliament Buildings | |
| 1550 – 1700 | Roundtable meeting with MLAs from Economy Committee Topics – Economic Agenda of the Parliament – Devolution – Windsor Framework | |
| 1700 | Depart PB for travel to hotel | |
| 1830 | Depart hotel for travel to Crumlin Road Distillery | |
| 1900-2100 | Dinner and distillery (Crumlin Road Gaol tbc) |
Programme 6 June
| 09.00 -10.30 | Activity Potential meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP | |
| 1030-12.00 | Briefing by Intertrade Ireland Topics – Dual access into UK and EU market: challenges & opportunities | |
| 12.00 – 14.00 | Studio Ulster (tech side) | |
| 14.30- 16.30 | Titanic Belfast OR Briefing on Ports (DAERA) |