New economic envoy visits the North

US President Barack Obama’s commitment to helping the North was reinforced today when his new Economic Envoy to the North arrived in Belfast less than 72 hours after being appointed.

Irish-born businessman Declan Kelly said his appointment was part of a long-term commitment to Northern Ireland by the US.

He accepted global economic conditions were difficult at present but pledged he would leave no stone unturned to ensure continued US investment in the North.

In the past seven years US companies have invested £823m (€934m) in the North and directly employ 14,000 people.

“That is something I want to build on,” said Mr Kelly. “This is going to be a long-term investment of time in this region and I am confident that by the time we have done we will have made a difference.”

Mr Kelly hit the ground running with a series of meetings with business and political leaders, accompanied by the new US Ambassador to London, Louis Susman, who was making his first visit to the province since being appointed by President Obama.

Mr Kelly said: “This is a very important moment in the relationship between our two peoples. The Secretary of State of the United States is 100% committed to this region.”

Hillary Clinton had spoken to him on numerous occasions about making sure the work of the past decades, including that by her former President husband Bill Clinton, continued, he said.

“My job is to be here as frequently, as often as I can to promote trade and investment between our countries and to make sure no stone is left unturned to ensure continued investment in Northern Ireland,” he said.

And he said Mrs Clinton intended to visit Northern Ireland to demonstrate her commitment as soon as her diary allowed. “She is overwhelmingly committed to this area.”

Ambassador Susman said Northern Ireland was “a major priority” for the US.

“We have no other country, that I know of, that has a State Department special Economic Envoy. We want to do everything possible to promote the economic interests of Northern Ireland,” he said.

He said he wanted to complement the people of Northern Ireland “on the progress that has been made in terms of political stability and economic development and quality of life for your citizens.”

Welcoming the Ambassador and Mr Kelly to Belfast, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: “We have enjoyed excellent working relationships with US administrations in the past and I look forward to working with Declan Kelly and this administration as we seek to build on these ties and look to the future.”

The US had played an important role in the North’s growth and development, she said, bringing significant change to trade and investment opportunities in the province.

“While these are, of course, exceptionally challenging times for Northern Ireland and indeed right across the globe, the US continues to be a key trade and investment partner for us.

“Over 14,000 are employed by US companies and North America is our second largest export market after the Republic of Ireland.”