It represents a major opportunity for the firms involved, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will tell a major event in New York this week.
The deputy First Minister is undertaking a three day visit to the US beginning tomorrow, Wednesday. During the visit he will address the prestigious Celtic Ball organised by the Irish Chamber of Commerce, USA.
Among the 700 guests attending the event will be representatives of many Fortune 500 companies including AIG and Mutual America as well as investors and political leaders from across the USA. Also addressing the dinner will be Executive Ministers Sir Reg Empey and Edwin Poots.
Among the other speakers at the event will be Senator George Mitchell and E. Neville Isdell, Chairman and CEO of Coca Cola, who is a native of Downpatrick.
The Minister will tell the guests: "Outreach to American interests and investors is obviously a major element of the Executive’s determined efforts to improve our economy and build for the future."
"But we do not see this as a one way relationship. As many companies from the USA and around the world have already found in return, investors will enjoy the advantages of an ideal strategic business location backed up by a highly trained and educated workforce.
"We aim to maximise the goodwill which exists in the USA particularly since the restoration of our political institutions on May 8."
"And I believe that we are at the start of not just a hugely exciting era in our political future but also one which holds out great promise in terms of the development of a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States based on economic cooperation, cultural relationships and long standing friendships.
"Following on from a hugely successful Smithsonian Festival and our visit to the USA earlier this year, it is imperative that we continue to maximise our contacts in America. This is particularly important as we prepare for the major investment conference planned to take place in Belfast next spring.
"The visit by myself and my Ministerial colleagues this week will be followed next week by a visit to Belfast by the US Ambassadors to London and Dublin, Robert Tuttle and Tom Foley.
"They will lead a delegation of top executives from 25 bluechip US companies who are coming over to look at investment opportunities. During their visit they will meet with companies who are already major investors, including a number of US companies."
Whilst in the US the deputy First Minister will also be meeting with President of the American Ireland Fund Mr Kieran McLaughlin, Martin Sullivan, President and CEO of American International Group (AIG) and is also due to hold a meeting with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond to discuss areas of mutual interest.
Notes to Editors:
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