Ministers Open Invest NI San Francisco Office

First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have opened an Invest NI office in San Francisco.

The move is part of a trade mission to the US being undertaken by the Ministers this week and will help to build on investment in Northern Ireland by west coast companies such as Seagate, Concentrix, Cybersource Visa and most recently technology companies like Vello Systems and Wandisco.

Peter Robinson said: "The venture capital industry has followed this trend by also opening offices in the city to be closer to the tech companies. Through this new base Invest NI is better able to effectively support both our own indigenous companies as well as attracting the next generation of technology companies to invest, if located in San Francisco."

Martin McGuinness added: "Having a dedicated team in San Francisco will further enhance the support network we have available to help our businesses build contacts.

"The Invest NI team in the San Francisco office is primarily focusing on high technology sectors such as Information Technology in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, LA, Texas, Seattle and Portland. Increasing our presence is an important part of our Economic Strategy. San Francisco’s growing emerging tech and entrepreneurial culture provides numerous opportunities for our indigenous businesses."

The news comes as Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched a new Invest Northern Ireland initiative at home to increase the agency’s engagement with local businesses in County Fermanagh.

The initiative will see a 'pop up' Invest NI office open in the Erneside Shopping Centre, Enniskillen, from 25-27 March.

Minister Foster said: "It gives small local businesses the opportunity to avail of the expertise within Invest NI without having to go out of their way to make an appointment, attracting customers that may not have come otherwise."

The 'pop up' office is aimed at smaller businesses and will offer a series of half-hour workshops on topics such as finance, HR advice for employers, information technology and starting a business. It will also offer one-to-one meetings with Invest NI staff to discuss what support is available to businesses.

Minister Foster said another 'pop up' office is planned for Limavady in the coming weeks.

(IT)