Arlene Foster Chases US Investment

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is in San Francisco this week in an attempt to boost Northern Ireland’s trade and investment links in the Silicon Valley region.

The Minister will meet with potential investors in order to promote Northern Ireland as an investment location, and to discuss with existing investors their continued growth in the province.

Invest Northern Ireland’s Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton is also present with Minister Foster.

Speaking as she arrived in San Francisco yesterday, the Minister said: "Over the last 10 years more than £1.06 bn of investment commitments, promoting over 7700 new jobs, have been secured by Invest Northern Ireland from US companies. This represents one third of all inward investment secured by Invest NI.

"The US is the largest export market for Northern Ireland manufacturing companies after the Republic of Ireland, with in excess of $750m of export business secured by NI companies in the market in 2011/2012."

The Minister and Invest NI are also set to discuss with Northern Irish companies already established in the US their experiences of growing export business in the American market.

The two representatives will also meet with trade and investment representatives from the Silicon Valley Network and the Bay Area Council.

The Minister remarked: "There is no doubt that the US remains one of the most strategically important markets for Northern Ireland exporters and inward investment. The San Francisco area, incorporating the technology rich Silicon Valley region, is a particular target for Invest NI.

"By meeting with key influencers, company CEOs and NI exporters, I hope to further strengthen our US links and secure new opportunities that will grow the Northern Ireland economy."

(IT)