Invest NI has opened a new hub and events space in Dublin city centre.
The economic support agency, which has maintained an office in the city since 2002, said the new venue will act as a strategic meeting space for northern companies and stakeholders.
Based at Riverview House on City Quay, next to Grant Thornton’s headquarters, it is the new base for both Invest NI’s Dublin FDI promotion team and Tourism NI.
It features a 20-seater conference room, 8-seater meeting room, a 40 seater event space and seven hot desks.
Invest NI boss Kieran O’Donoghue, who joined the agency from IDA Ireland last year, said €800 million in investment commitments had been secured from 180 Irish-owned businesses since 2002.
“With dual market access as an added string to Northern Ireland’s bow, our hub will provide a great base from which to highlight the north’s unique trading position into GB and EU markets,” he said.
“This is an exciting development for Invest NI and Tourism NI, whose teams will showcase all the benefits of visiting, investing in and doing business with Northern Ireland.”
The new hub was officially opened by Economy Minister Conor Murphy on Wednesday evening.
“Cross-border trade has grown by 125% since 2018, reaching over €10 billion in 2023. This growth has continued in the first six months of 2024,” he said.
“More and more companies are operating in, and establishing footprints in, both parts of the island.
“Supply chains and clusters are increasingly all-Ireland in nature. Cross-border tourism has also surged over the last few years, with latest figures showing an unprecedented number of visitors from the south in 2023.
“This hub will build on that success and will serve as a base for businesses across the island to reach new clients; and to showcase their products and services.
“The team at this hub will work to encourage investment from the south into the north, with a key selling point being dual market access,” he added.
“The all-Ireland economy offers significant potential and this Hub will help realise that potential for the benefit of everyone on this island.”
The opening was also attended by Tourism NI CEO, John McGrillen.
“The Republic of Ireland is a very important market for the Northern Ireland tourism industry,” he said.
“Visitor numbers from the south have increased four-fold since 2016 to more than 1.3million in 2023, directly contributing £267 million to the Northern Ireland tourism economy.”
The Northern Ireland Hub – Dublin will be open for bookings from October 1 2024.
