A delegation of more than 20 senior executives from North Carolina has arrived in Northern Ireland this week as part of NI Chamber's strategic partnership with NC Chamber.
The group, which includes leaders from organisations such as John Deere, SunTX Capital Partners, PNC Bank and Azurity Pharmaceuticals, was welcomed by Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant MP, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Sarah Owens MP at a launch event in Hillsborough Castle.
The visit is a reciprocal one, following NI Chamber's trade mission to North Carolina, which was led by the First Minister and deputy First Minister in March 2025.
Over the coming days, the delegation will meet business leaders from across Northern Ireland and visit key drivers of innovation including Belfast Harbour, Studio Ulster and Queen’s University. They will also experience some of the region's renowned hospitality and tourism offering, culminating in a golf tournament at Galgorm Castle tomorrow (Thursday).
The tailored programme has been designed to provide both high-level business engagement and opportunities to build the personal connections that underpin successful international partnerships.
Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber, explains:
"Over the last two years, NI Chamber has been working intensively with businesses, universities and potential investors in North Carolina, a state which we identified as having many synergies with our own economy. We are now seeing that translate into meaningful connections, commercial opportunities and long-term partnerships.
"This visit is about building on that momentum. Over the next four days, our guests will experience first-hand the innovation, ambition and talent that exists across Northern Ireland, while exploring opportunities to deepen collaboration between our two business communities. We have compiled a really exciting programme and look forward to showcasing Northern Ireland and North Carolina as regions of joint opportunity."
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “During my visit to North Carolina last year, I saw first-hand the scale of opportunity and the strength of the relationship. This visit is an important opportunity to build on that work as we explore new opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We share many of the strengths that drive economic success with North Carolina and have a great deal to offer international investors, including a talented and highly skilled workforce, strong research and innovation capabilities, world-class businesses and universities, and the unique economic advantage of access to both the British and European markets.
“Our ambition is to grow our economy, create good jobs and ensure that businesses here can compete and succeed on the world stage. I look forward to seeing new partnerships formed, new investment secured and new opportunities emerge for businesses and communities here and in North Carolina.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly added: “When we led the business delegation to North Carolina, we saw the same high level of talent, innovation and ambition that defines Northern Ireland. We recognised the benefits of coming together to share our expertise and forge meaningful collaborations across so many areas including technology, advanced manufacturing and life sciences.
“And it is great to now welcome the North Carolina business delegation here to Northern Ireland as we further cement that partnership. The visit is a demonstration of the strength of the relationship and our continued commitment to work together.
“By combining our talent and ambition, by connecting more businesses and establishing more research partnerships, we can secure more investment and create those vital opportunities that will help build a prosperous future for us all.”
The four-day programme is being delivered by NI Chamber in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, BLOC, EOS IT, ICC Belfast, NI Golf Tours, OS Doors, FAST, Kindred Collection and Henderson Foodservice.
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