During the third day of their US trip, Dr Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness were in New York to press the button and begin the day’s trading for the market’s 3,200 listed companies.
The image of the official opening was also beamed onto the iconic 7-storey NASDAQ Market Site Tower in Times Square. Located at 43rd Street and Broadway, the high-tech electronic display wraps around the cylindrical NASDAQ building, providing up-to-the minute financial news, market highlights and advertisements.
The $37million screen, which features in numerous films, television programmes and news articles, illuminates Times Square 24 hours a day.
Speaking at the launch Dr Paisley said: “The opening the NASDAQ stock market has been presided over by some of the world’s most prestigious political and business leaders so it is an honour for us to be included in such an elite group.”
Mr McGuinness said: “There can also be few better ways of having such a positive image, representing the political progress we are making beamed into the heart of American life.”
The event marked the end of the New York leg of the trip where the Ministers outlined investment propositions to senior business leaders on Wall Street. In Washington they will host a reception for 250 guests including politicians, Ambassadors, business leaders, policymakers and academics, before meeting President Bush on Friday.
Mr McGuinness is expected to tell the VIP reception, hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive’s Washington Bureau, that US support is needed to continue to make positive progress.
“As we strive towards a society moving from division and disharmony to one which celebrates our diversity we will continue to rely on your support. But it’s not a one-way street. We can offer much in return,” the deputy First Minister said.
“Our businesses are coming to the US creating jobs, developing new technology and providing opportunities to US firms to develop international markets. We also believe our experience should be shared with other communities here and abroad.
“From a business perspective we can offer an abundance of highly skilled young people produced by our universities with IT, Bio technology and software engineering degrees. We can a provide cost competitive environment to US businesses and provide access to many international market opportunities,” he added.
The First Minister will tell guests that the relationship with Capitol Hill is vital to the region’s long term plans.
“We have put the economy at the centre of our ambitious Programme for Government and one of the main reasons we are here this week to get across the message that we offer an excellent opportunity for American companies who want to access the European Union market. We gave that message in New York and will repeat it in Washington as we meet senior business executives at an event hosted by the Department of Commerce.
“In May next year we will host a major economic conference in Belfast and we would also welcome your support in helping us to deliver on this project,” added Dr Paisley.
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