By Anthony Neeson
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said that Northern Ireland is set to strengthen its business and political relationships with the U.S.
It comes as McGuinness, along with Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster, lead an investment mission to the United States this week to coincide with the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The four day visit to New York, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco will involve meetings with existing and potential investors and key political players to strengthen links with the United States.
Ahead of the trip First Minister Foster said the United States continues to be an important investor in Northern Ireland.
“The U.S. remains our number one foreign direct investor with nearly 180 U.S. companies employing nearly 24,000 people in Northern Ireland,” she said.
“We have a highly educated and talented work force which combined with our low cost base and the support we can provide for job creation, training, research and development means we have a strong proposition.
“I remain focused on making Northern Ireland a great place to not only live and work but also for international companies to invest and grow their business. This week is an important element of our long term commitment to retain and attract further investment.”
Martin McGuinness said: “The U.S. has been a long term partner in building the peace and our economic progress.
“Our companies currently export just over £1billion of goods to the US so their economic importance to the north of Ireland is colossal. U.S. investment creating thousands of jobs benefits people, families and the entire community. The injection of cash stimulates additional opportunities within the local supply chain and leads to the expansion and growth of many home-grown businesses.
“Since 2011, we have bucked the trend and successfully grown our economy. Foreign Direct Investment has been a major factor in this and since 2006 Invest has promoted 26,777 new jobs through inward investment and secured £3.25 billion in total planned inward investment.
“This week we will strengthen existing business and political relationships at a senior level and pursue opportunities to grow our economy.
“Real and lasting relationships are established and developed through face to face contact, and if you don’t make the effort to come out here you simply don’t count.”
