Paisley and McGuinness encourage US business delegation to Northern Ireland

First Minister Ian Paisley and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have invited New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to lead a business delegation to Northern Ireland.

The Ministers met with Mayor Bloomberg this morning at the start of their five day visit to the US.

They discussed a wide range of issues at the City Hall, from job creation, affordable housing and combating poverty.

Ian Paisley said: “This has been an extremely worthwhile meeting. Mayor Bloomberg has shared with us some of the city’s success stories such as the significant reduction in crime and job creation.

“We can learn lessons from such a city. The deputy First Minister and I have invited Mayor Bloomberg to lead a business delegation to Northern Ireland in the near future which we hope will continue our already strong economic relationship with the US.

“Northern Ireland has entered into a new era where the focus is very much on building economic prosperity. We will take this message to the President when we meet him on Friday.”

Martin McGuinness said: “Mayor Bloomberg has support which stretches across the political spectrum and so he has an affinity with the politics of the north of Ireland.

“This has been a very worthwhile meeting and hopefully has gone some way to demonstrate why it is worthwhile for the US to invest with us.

“The economy is central to developing a peaceful, fair and prosperous society, the US is a hugely important market.

“We look forward to welcoming Mayor Bloomberg and his colleagues to Stormont in the near future.”

Tomorrow they will attend a New York Business contacts lunch before travelling to Washington on Wednesday.

Notes to Editors:

1. Media queries to OFMDFM Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 1375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
2. All photographs for this event are available from Harrison photography.