US Ambassadors lead business delegation to Northern Ireland

US Ambassadors to the UK and Irish Republic, lead a business delegation on a two day fact finding mission to Northern Ireland.

The deputation is the first in a series announced by the Honorable Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, and the President’s Special Envoy on Northern Ireland, to raise the profile of the investment conference proposed for Northern Ireland in Spring 2008.

Economy Minister Nigel Dodds welcomed the group, led by US Ambassador to the UK, Robert Holmes Tuttle and Thomas C Foley, US Ambassador to the Irish Republic, to Parliament Buildings at Stormont last night and said: “This visit gives us a great opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland.

“Increased levels of inward investment in high value, knowledge-based sectors will contribute to generating the growth and productivity improvements which will increase the economic prosperity of Northern Ireland in the longer term.

“Northern Ireland offers a welcoming region where overseas investors will find a good supply of skills from a 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.

“In short, we have hi-tech expertise, industrial ingenuity and a great lifestyle offering a province which is open for business, and a government which is deeply committed to working with business, for business.

“This compelling proposition has resulted in over US$6 billion worth of Foreign Direct Investment being secured since 1996, with the US being our most important market. Over $1 billion of this investment has come from the 51 projects which Invest NI has attracted in the past five years.

“I am convinced that we have the knowledge-led companies and world-class research focused universities on which to build success.

“By investing in skills, innovation and economic infrastructure we aim to attract and encourage quality investment by international and local companies on which to grow our private sector. Over the course of their visit, the delegation will have the opportunity to see why now is the time for international investment to come to Northern Ireland.”

Today, Tuesday 16 October 2007, the First and deputy First Ministers will host a lunch for the delegation as well as number of businesses already located here.

Notes to Editors:

1. Media enquiries to DETI Press Office on 9052 9353 or email: pressoffice@detini.gov.uk.
2. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.