Chinese Consul General welcomed to Mid and East Antrim
Friday 11 July 2025
The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim welcomed the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China to the Borough earlier this week.
Li Nan, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, was a guest of Councillor Jackson Minford at his parlour in The Braid, Ballymena.
“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 of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford.
“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.
“The meeting also provided an opportunity to showcase MEA as an outstanding location to live and work in, as well as an attractive investment location.”
Following the meeting in the Mayor’s Parlour, the delegation visited the Ecos Hub in Ballymena and met with tenants at the centre - including representatives from Plotbox and Invest NI.
Alan Reid, Principal Lecturer for Industry Engagement at Northern Regional College, updated the visitors on the Hydrogen Training Academy project and gave a tour of the gas safe Hydrogen Training Lab at ECOS.
Representatives then visited Slemish Market Garden, located close to ECOS, which uses traditional methods to grow seasonal fruit, vegetables and cottage garden plants on site.
Concluding, Mayor Minford said: “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.”
During the visit, Mr Nan extended his best wishes to the people of Mid and East Antrim.