The Minister met the Chairman of Microsoft, Mr Bill Gates at a technology breakfast in Washington today, where Mr Gates was the keynote speaker.
Mr Dodds said: “The Chairman of Microsoft was insightful in his vision of future advancement in computer technology and he spoke of a ‘revolution in software coming’ and predicted ‘future technological changes will be profound.”
The Minister said: “Mr Gates told the audience that Microsoft is investing heavily in Research and Development (R&D). This confirms that Northern Ireland is on the right track by offering inward investors one of the most attractive support packages available in Europe, with cash grants for R&D.
“American companies will have the opportunity to see, at first hand, the advances being made in R&D, as well as the strategic commercial partnerships between our universities and business, during the two day US NI Investment Conference in May.”
The breakfast was organised by Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the largest technology council in the USA, and held in the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington DC.
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