Paisley and McGuinness chase US investment

The joint leaders of the North's power sharing executive will today meet New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the start of a five-day visit to the United States.

New Yorkers will for the first time see Democratic Unionist First Minister Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness together since their parties’ historic power sharing deal in March.

Mr McGuinness visited the US with DUP Finance Minister Peter Robinson shortly after the revival of devolution in May.

The First and Deputy First Ministers and DUP Economy Minister Nigel Dodds will be wooing potential American investors during their visit to New York.

Before today’s meeting with Mr Bloomberg, they will take part in a business breakfast with financial service executives, visit the New York stock exchange and later in the day will meet 25 corporate chief executives.

Further business meetings are planned throughout the New York visit, with the leaders of the Stormont Executive sending a clear message that now devolution has returned the North is ready to do business.

Not only will they be chasing US investment, particularly in highly skilled jobs like the financial services sector, but also seeking to find a place in the American market for Northern companies.

On Wednesday, they will travel to Washington for a three-day visit which will culminate in talks at the White House with US President George Bush.

Mr Paisley described the trip as “a hugely important visit for Northern Ireland”.

“It provides an opportunity to engage at the highest level with US business and political leaders,” the DUP leader said.

He said the message they took with them was that they wanted to build on the special relationship which had long existed with the US with a view to the betterment of the people of the North.

Mr McGuinness said the Northern Ireland Executive had put the economy at the top of their agenda.

He said: “We are here in the US not just to thank them for their help and support in the past but to impress on them that we are determined to build on the political progress that we have made by building a vibrant economy which will offer real opportunities not just for our people but for those who chose to invest in it.

“We would issue an open invitation to businesses here to come and see at first hand the attractions that we can offer in terms of the skills our people have to offer and the fact that we are an ideal location to assist your business with international growth.”