Chinese Consul General welcomed to Mid and East Antrim for strategic investment visit

(L-R): Jonathan McGrandle (Acting Director of Development & Regeneration & Strategic Projects); Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford; Consul General Li Nan (Chinese Consulate), Karen Hastings (MEA Investment & Place Manager).

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim has welcomed the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Li Nan, to the Borough in a visit aimed at fostering trade and investment ties between the region and China.

Councillor Jackson Minford hosted the diplomatic delegation at his parlour in The Braid, Ballymena, where a series of productive discussions took place focusing on economic development and opportunities for mutual cooperation.

“Securing Consul General Li Nan and his accompanying guests to the Borough is a great opportunity to raise our profile as an attractive investment location,” said Mayor Minford.

Jonathan McGrandle (Acting Director of Development & Regeneration & Strategic Projects); Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford; Consul General Li Nan (Chinese Consulate), Karen Hastings (MEA Investment & Place Manager).

Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford; Consul General Li Nan (Chinese Consulate).

He continued: “We are focused on Council’s strategic priority of ‘Growing the Economy’ and are committed to growing and developing local business to improve productivity and competitiveness.

“Key discussions were had around areas of mutual benefit and engagement on trade, investment, tourism, cultural and education.”

Following the official reception, the Consul General and his delegation visited the ECOS Hub in Ballymena, a key innovation and sustainability centre in the region. There, they met with tenants including representatives from PlotBox and Invest Northern Ireland, gaining insights into local enterprise and innovation.

Stephen McMullan (Plotbox) with Consul General Li Nan (Chinese Consulate).

Colette Lyness (Ecos Hub Manager), Consul General Li Nan (Chinese Consulate), Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford and  Jonathan McGrandle (Acting Director of Development & Regeneration & Strategic Projects).

Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford, Consul General Li Nan (Chinese Consulate), Alan Reid (Northern Regional College) and Jonathan McGrandle (Acting Director of Development & Regeneration & Strategic Projects).

Alan Reid, Principal Lecturer for Industry Engagement at Northern Regional College, provided an overview of the college’s pioneering Hydrogen Training Academy project. The group also toured the state-of-the-art gas-safe Hydrogen Training Lab housed at ECOS.

The visit concluded with a stop at Slemish Market Garden, located near the ECOS Centre, where traditional methods are used to cultivate seasonal fruit, vegetables, and cottage garden plants.

Colette Lyness (Ecos Hub Manager), Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford, Consul General Li Nan (Chinese Consulate), Jonathan McGrandle (Acting Director of Development & Regeneration & Strategic Projects), David Watson (MTF Chair), Linda McCooke (Slemish Market Garden)

Speaking at the end of the visit, Mayor Minford emphasised the significance of the occasion:

“It is vitally important that we try and open doors for our local businesses and having the Chinese Consul General here in MEA helps to achieve that.

“The visit was very positive and further engagement on investment opportunities, and participation in events, will take place over the next year.”

Karen Hastings (Investment & Place Manager), Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford, Consul General Li Nan (Chinese Consulate), David Watson (MTF Chair), Jonathan McGrandle (Acting Director of Development & Regeneration & Strategic Projects)

During his stay, Consul General Li Nan extended his best wishes to the people of Mid and East Antrim, further underlining the goodwill and intent for continued collaboration between the region and China.