Foster Begins US Trade Mission

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has commenced a four-day trade mission to the US.

The visit begins in Los Angeles, before moving to San Diego, San Francisco and Chicago. As part of the trip, the Minister will support local companies in their efforts to secure export business, as well as meet with potential - and existing - investors.

Commenting on the trade mission, the Minister said: "Overseas visits are vitally important to our continuing relationships with international investors and trade partners.

"As well as meeting existing investors, I will also hold private meetings with potential investors who are either at an early stage of considering Northern Ireland as a potential location, or are close to finalising their plans.

"We have been told numerous times that potential investors appreciate the direct access to Government that these meetings provide and I am confident that my programme of visits this week will produce good results for Northern Ireland."

In addition to the above, Ms Foster will also lead a trade mission of 13 businesses and organisations that are exhibiting at San Diego's BIO International Convention. This is the world's leading Life Sciences exhibition.

She continued: "By exhibiting at BIO, either on the Invest Northern Ireland stand or by themselves, our companies can reach influential decision makers who come to BIO to discover new players in the industry, form partnerships and evaluate emerging technologies."

(JP/MH)