AS the Pittsburgh Conference for Investment in Ireland opened officially last night, the International Fund for Ireland announced it had established a business scheme to commemorate the late Mr Ron Brown, the former US secretary of Commerce.
Announcing the scheme at the opening of the Pittsburgh Conference for Trade and Investment In Northern Ireland, the chairman of the International Fund, Mr William McCarter, said the scheme would allow Irish businesses to take up short placements at US universities.
The Ron Brown Educational Support Scheme commemorates the efforts of Mr Brown and his close collaborator Mr Chuck Meissner to bring about economic regeneration and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, Mr McCarter said.
Mr Brown and Mr Meissner died in a plane crash earlier this year. Both were known for the dedication and support they showed for the whole idea of supporting the peace process through economic initiatives.
Speaking to the 250 assembled delegates at the Pittsburgh conference Mr McCarter said the three year programme would provide £60,000 a year to allow Irish small business managers access to intensive courses at American universities.
The fund is expecting that six people will be offered access to the programme in 1997.
According to the fund, research has indicated that while a number of schemes provide for placements in the US, no programme has targeted the wide range of short, practical, focused courses which are available.
Last night, secretary of state for Commerce Mr Mickey Kantor opened the conference which has brought together over 40 Irish companies along with up to 50 potential US partners.
Later today, Dr Tony O'Reilly, president and chief executive of Heinz is due to address the conference.
The Irish Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny and British parliamentary undersecretary of state for Northern Ireland, Baroness Denton, will be talking later.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Patrick Mayhew, will be hosting a gala dinner tonight.
The International Fund will take a key role over the three day conference. Mr Tom Russell, joint director of the fund, said the aim was to show the assembled companies "look it can be done".
The North American Partnership Programme, which the fund set up with £300,000 in April 1995 has now resulted in nine strategic alliances, creating 200 new jobs in six companies.
Phase two of the programme is targeting 16 more companies, Mr Russell said, with the aim of creating another 200 jobs.
If that goes well the fund will consider targeting European as well as American companies, he added.
So far, the programme has achieved success with companies form Bio Medical Research in Bunbeg, Co Donegal; to Creative Media Training Systems, in Drogheda; to Flite Software in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
The US administration will also be reaffirming its commitment to the American Management and Business Internship Training Ambit.
Since Ambit was first announced at the Washington Conference last year over 35 managers have received training in advanced management and technical skills.
According to the US department of commerce the most important by product of Ambit is new business relationships.
The programme has helped to spawn at least 14 business relationships, including joint ventures, direct investment, marketing agreements and sales.
These relationships are expected to generate between $10 and $15 million (£6.2-£9.3 million) in business over three years.
Participants in the programme include Belfast Castle, Graft on Recruitment, Ulster Carpet Mills and Lakeland Dairies.
Running parallel to the main business conference in Pittsburgh is a community development programme.
Over 20 community development groups from both sides of the Border are involved.
This group will be lining up with community development corporations from the US.
Sister Michelle O'Leary who runs the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh will be prominent at this event. She is a major force in Irish affairs in the city and is close to the legendary Mr Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
