Bid For US Investment As Axe Looms

Jobs and investment from the USA are being sought by NI politicians this week, and with the UK Chancellor George Osborne preparing to announce his Spending Review such 'Money from America' would be warmly welcomed.

As politicians in Stormont brace for bad news financially, even the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson is today across the Atlantic meeting US envoy Hillary Clinton in Washington for the US/NI Economic Conference.

Speaking before he left for the United States, Mr Paterson said: "This is a very significant week for Northern Ireland. On Wednesday the Chancellor will announce measures to tackle the huge deficit that the Coalition Government inherited, the biggest in the G20.

"This will present challenges but it will also open up opportunities.

"The Coalition is determined to create the conditions for sustained economic growth. That can only be for the long term good of Northern Ireland," he said.

"I will be doing everything in my power to help Northern Ireland attract inward investment and welcome the opportunity to discuss this and other issues with Secretary of State Clinton."

The high-powered delegation also includes NI First Minister Peter Robinson MLA and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness who had already arrived in Washington DC last night ahead of Tuesday's economic conference.

Hosted by US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, it will bring together a range of NI companies, current investors from the US and a range of potential investors identified by Special Economic Envoy, Declan Kelly.

Mr Robinson said: "This conference will allow us to sell the Northern Ireland product directly to some of the America's most successful and best know companies, many of whom have already expressed an interest in investing here. The Executive said from a very early stage that attracting inward investment was vital to the Northern Irish economy and we have had some considerable success.

"I have no doubt that as a direct result of this conference we will forge a new set of relationships that will in the months and years to come see further significant investment."

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Secretary Clinton has played an extremely important role not only in the peace process but in helping us to develop our economy and to improve the lives of our people.

"The conference that she is hosting further highlights the commitment that exists in the US to boosting our economy through investment and the creation of jobs. "This conference will, I am sure, bear fruit and will have a long and lasting legacy that will benefit our economy and all our people equally."

Opportunities

Also in the US today is the Stormont Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster and Employment and Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey.

Minister Foster said: "The focus will be on direct business discussions to allow very senior executives from American companies to hear why an investment in Northern Ireland makes sound commercial sense.

"Invest NI will support the US Economic Envoy, Declan Kelly at the conference, by promoting Northern Ireland and following up potential investment opportunities with the conference delegates."

Also commenting, Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey said: "This conference provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the skills of the Northern Ireland workforce.

"We are here in Washington for the economic hard sell - to show that Northern Ireland is an excellent location in which to invest and do business. Northern Ireland's further education colleges and universities, working in partnership with my Department, are already producing the skills looked for by inward investors.

"Our Assured Skills Initiative further ensures that the right skills will be provided for new investment, boosting Northern Ireland's attractiveness and competitiveness."

(BMcC/GK)