Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald is undertaking a visit to Boston, Massachusetts, with the core goal of promoting the North-West of Northern Ireland as a prime location for international investment, business, and tourism.

During her trip, the Minister is scheduled to deliver keynote speeches at the Golden Bridges Conference and an Invest NI US Business Leaders Breakfast. Her key message is to highlight the North-West's strengths, including the presence of leading US firms like Allstate and Seagate in the region.

Minister Archibald stressed the importance of the US market, noting that nearly 300 US-owned businesses currently employ 32,000 people across Northern Ireland. She stated that the region's appeal lies in its: Dual-market access; Highly skilled and committed workforce; Innovative and resilient business culture; Expertise in key sectors. The Minister pointed to recent positive economic developments in the North-West, including the expansion of Magee, the growth of the City of Derry Airport, and Invest NI's new regional focus, as clear reasons for investor confidence.

In addition to investment, the Minister will engage with American travel industry representatives at a Tourism Ireland event to promote Northern Ireland as a "must see" destination. She is also participating in a green economy roundtable discussion with US industry leaders to explore collaboration on decarbonisation initiatives.

Andrea Haughian, Head of America's at Invest NI, reinforced the importance of the US market, confirming that Invest NI is working to identify US firms looking to establish or expand operations. She noted that NI exports to the Americas are currently worth £2.1 million, with over fifty NI businesses having already expanded into the US market.