Assembly members on North American trade mission

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and a number of members of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, are in North America to support Northern Ireland’s technology companies.

During their visit from 10 to 12 December, they plan be reinforce the message to existing and potential new investors that Northern Ireland remains a choice location to do business.

The ETI committee team, which is led by Chairperson, Pat Doherty, MP, MLA, (SF) and comprises Billy Armstrong, MLA, (UUP), Annie Courtney, MLA, (SDLP), Sean Neeson, MLA, (Alliance) and Jim Wells, MLA, (DUP), are in Boston and New York to link up with Sir Reg and local companies taking part in major trade events in both centres, which have been organised by Trade International, the export and trade arm of the Industrial Development Board.

The programme includes the opening of the new Northern Ireland Technology and Development Centre, in Boston, which will provide expert advice and offices for innovative businesses seeking a base from which to expand in the huge US marketplace.

The group will also visit the stands of Northern Ireland companies exhibiting at North America's most important e-business event, the Internet World Conference and Exhibition in New York, which runs from 10 to 14 December. Sir Reg will also meet existing investors such as Bombardier, Nortel Networks and Raytheon Corporation during his three-day visit.

Speaking on his departure, Sir Reg, who has recently returned from a Trade Mission to China, said: “It is of the utmost importance, as we are faced with changing economic circumstances, that we put all our efforts into attracting new investment and give tangible support to our companies seeking out new markets for their products.

"My visit to North America, with the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in support, is an example of our shared determination and our commitment, to promote Northern Ireland, across the world, as a compelling business opportunity, both for trade and investment.”

Internet World, held at the Jacob Javitts Centre in New York, is the world's biggest e-business and internet technology conference. This year the event is focusing on rapidly developing technology for the wireless internet and e-procurement. It attracts exhibitors from most parts of the world. (MB)