‘NI open for business’, Brokenshire to tells US investors

Northern Ireland offers American companies “outstanding opportunities” the North’s secretary of state James Brokenshire is set to tell potential new investors in the United States during a high-profile, two-day visit which kicks off on Monday.

Mr Brokenshire’s wants to get the message across to American firms that “Northern Ireland is open for business” while discussions continue around Brexit and during a roundtable on Monday with US business leaders, Mr Brokenshire intends to highlight the success of American firms in the North who currently employ 23,000 people.

The US remains the North’s top foreign direct investor and one of its key export destinations for local businesses, a fifth of all exports last year were destined for the US from the North.

Stability

The secretary of state said: “Hard-won political stability makes Northern Ireland an outstanding place in which to invest and do business. In New York I am making clear to US partners that the UK government is doing everything possible to build on recent progress and create the right conditions for an even brighter future.

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“This is a timely visit. The decision of the people of the UK to leave the EU is one of the most significant acts of British post-war history and we are determined to make a success of it. As we build on our strengths as an open, dynamic trading nation and forge a new global role, the enduring relationship with our friends and partners in America will be crucial.”

He will also meet with senior politicians in New York this week including former senator George Mitchell and president of the council on foreign relations Richard Haass.

Mr Brokenshire’s visit comes as the North welcomed its latest US investor on Monday; aPriori Technologies which plans to establish a 15 strong technology team in Belfast.

Software

The company which is based in Concord, Massachusetts, provides manufacturers with software solutions which provide real-time insight into the manufacturability and cost of the products they develop.

Its customers include Boeing, Ford, Honeywell, ThyssenKrupp and Tetra Pak.

Meanwhile while the secretary of state is focusing on the US the North’s First Minister Arlene Foster is also undertaking an official visit to China this week to promote Northern Ireland.

The First Minister will use the visit to discuss economic, education and cultural opportunities for Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday she is scheduled to meet with Friends of Northern Ireland which was established in 2015 in Shanghai by Northern Ireland born people working in China.

Speaking ahead of the meeting First Minister, Arlene Foster said: “Our relationship with China is very important and having people from Northern Ireland who are acutely aware of what we have to offer will not only assist the Chinese understand our offering, but also show other businesses from Northern Ireland that there is a support system in place.

“Our global family remains a vital part of our social and economic progress. I will be listening to people who have established themselves in China and look forward to hearing how the Northern Ireland Executive’s bureau in Beijing is already assisting in this.”