Northern Ireland Minister Focuses on Trade and Tourism Opportunities with China, Get the Details Here

Published on December 7, 2025

Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Economy, Archibald, has stated that there needs to be economic balance gained when dealing with other countries, especially while in the meeting with Embassy staff in Bangalore, to which she stated that there needs to be the economic potential of the target market, while also taking into account the value systems of Northern Ireland and the obligations to which it holds. During the course of the five-day official visit, Archibald hopes to increase business and economic relationships Alliance has with the Northern Ireland’s other economic partner, which is China, with her planned stops in Beijing, Shenyang, Dalian, and Shanghai.

Northern Ireland has in the anticipated trip has arrived to provide potential demonstration of the unique offerings of Northern Ireland within the education, trade, tourism, and screen sectors for that growing market in the expected China. Northern Ireland is seeking to increase its trade and business relations with China for the underperforming sectors within its economy from the expected high value offerings.

Economic Opportunities for Northern Ireland in China

China represents an increasingly important trade partner for Northern Ireland, with the potential for significant economic expansion. While Northern Ireland currently imports far more from China than it exports, there is a clear focus on reversing this imbalance, particularly in sectors such as medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and professional scientific instruments. The minister has pointed out that pharmaceuticals and chemicals are some of the key sectors where Northern Ireland can increase its export presence, creating job opportunities and fostering economic growth.

In 2024, Northern Ireland exported goods worth €1.43 million (£125 million) to China. However, the region imported goods valued at €1.15 billion (£1 billion) from China, highlighting the significant trade deficit. To address this, Minister Archibald’s trip is focused on opening new opportunities for Northern Irish businesses to expand their footprint in China, especially in high-value industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and medical devices.

While the minister acknowledges the challenges in balancing economic engagement with broader concerns, she has stressed that this opportunity should not be overlooked, as there is a clear potential for both economic growth and the creation of new trade avenues.

Fostering Growth in Tourism and the Screen Industry

Another important aspect of Minister Archibald’s visit is the promotion of Northern Ireland’s tourism sector, which plays a crucial role in the region’s economy. With tourism continuing to be a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s economic strategy, the minister aims to capitalize on the growing interest in Ireland’s landscape and hospitality among Chinese tourists.

Last year, approximately 186,000 people from Asia, including China, visited Ireland, and the minister hopes to further boost these numbers by emphasizing Northern Ireland’s natural beauty and unique cultural heritage. This will include promoting the region’s renowned landmarks and tourist destinations, such as the Giant’s Causeway, Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, and the picturesque countryside that attracts international visitors year-round.

In addition to promoting the region’s natural beauty, the minister will also focus on the development of Northern Ireland’s screen industry. The opening of Studio Ulster, a 75,000 square foot film and television production facility on the shores of Belfast Lough, has already put the region on the map as an emerging hub for the film and television industry. During her trip, the minister plans to highlight the opportunities available in the growing sector, which has attracted attention from global media companies looking to tap into Northern Ireland’s diverse landscapes and competitive production costs.

The promotion of Studio Ulster and Northern Ireland’s broader screen industry is seen as an important step in expanding the region’s creative sector, with the goal of attracting international production companies and creating more local jobs in the entertainment industry.

Addressing Ethical Concerns in Trade and Investment

While the focus of the visit is on promoting economic and trade relations, Minister Archibald also emphasized the importance of ethics in trade. Given China’s history of human rights concerns and environmental challenges, the Northern Ireland government is working to ensure that trade and investment align with international ethical standards. To this end, Northern Ireland is developing an ethical investment framework based on United Nations principles, which will guide the region’s future international engagements.

This framework will undergo a public consultation process to ensure that it reflects the values of sustainability, fair trade, and human rights. By focusing on these principles, Northern Ireland aims to foster trade relationships that not only benefit the economy but also contribute to ethical investment practices that align with global standards.

Impact on Northern Ireland’s Relationship with China

As Northern Ireland looks to strengthen its ties with China, the potential for increased trade, investment, and tourism presents significant opportunities for the region. The visit to China will also involve discussions with key stakeholders from Invest NI, Tourism Ireland, NI Screen, and local universities, all of which will play a role in expanding the region’s presence in China’s growing markets.

The trip is expected to highlight Northern Ireland as a valuable partner for trade and investment in areas such as education, innovation, and cultural exchange. As part of the growing China-Northern Ireland relationship, the government is committed to ensuring that these interactions are balanced with the region’s core values, such as promoting ethical trade and investment practices.

Long-Term Goals for Northern Ireland’s Economic Future

In the long term, the goal is to position Northern Ireland as a leader in key industries such as technology, medical research, and creative media, all of which can benefit from a strategic partnership with China. By tapping into China’s vast market and aligning with its growing demand for innovative technologies, medical products, and media content, Northern Ireland hopes to bolster its economy while upholding its international responsibilities.

The increasing participation of Northern Ireland in global markets, particularly in Asia, reflects the region’s ambition to expand its economic footprint and become a significant player in international trade. As Minister Archibald’s trip underscores, the balancing act between pursuing economic opportunities and maintaining ethical standards will be essential to ensuring that Northern Ireland’s future trade relationships are both prosperous and responsible.

A Strategic Step Toward Economic Growth and Global Partnerships

Strengthening economic relations with China is one of the most important steps in Northern Ireland’s economic diversification strategy. By focusing on strategic partnerships in industries tourism , pharmaceuticals, education, screen industries, and other growing industries, Northern Ireland is looking to establish diversified and sustainable economic partnerships in other international markets. Northern Ireland’s future international partnerships will be based on ethical and sustainable principles as economic relations with China will be based on the region’s values.