13 November 2007 Northern Ireland's Economy Minister Leads Investment Mission to North America

During his five day visit the Minister will meet the Honorable Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs and the President’s Special Envoy on Northern Ireland, as well as key stakeholders and senior business leaders and influencers across four major cities.

The Minister said: “Following my trade mission to America in June and the Executive’s support for the Northern Ireland exhibition at the Smithsonian Festival, I am determined to build on the strong relationships that I, and my Executive colleagues, have established in the United States.

“Only last month, the U.S. Ambassadors to the U.K. and Irish Republic were here, alongside representatives from U.S. companies, on a fact finding mission ahead of next year’s investment conference. It was a pleasure to welcome them to Northern Ireland.

“It is important that I go to America now, to raise further the profile of the forthcoming conference and to engage the support of senior business leaders, and influencers.”

Norman Houston, Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau, noted the significance of this ministerial visit as Northern Ireland continues to develop economic links with the U.S. Mr. Houston said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Minister Dodds to the United States to build upon the robust economic ties that have begun to develop between America and Northern Ireland.  He continued: “This mission highlights the importance placed on the relationship with the U.S. by the Northern Ireland Executive.”

Commenting on the top priority given to the economy in the recent Program for Government, the Minister continued: “The US/Northern Ireland Investment Conference will help us meet the challenging economic targets set out in the Program for Government over the next three years. Promoting Northern Ireland in the U.S. will assist Invest NI to deliver the target of over 6500 new jobs by 2011 through inward investment projects with investment commitments of £1.2billion. It will also aim to help 45 new start-up businesses to become exporters outside the U.K. by 2011.

“The investment conference is an opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to U.S. investors. Investors will find a skilled and well-educated workforce, a strong infrastructure and third-level institutions where the commercial exploitation of R&D and innovation lie at the heart of the academic and skills agenda. We must take advantage of this outstanding opportunity to deliver real and sustained economic change for all.”