The Presidents’ Club — which hopes to strengthen trade links with North America — will provide five-star boardroom facilities, a penthouse executive lounge and cutting-edge IT facilities.

The privately-funded club was opened by Stormont Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson and the State of New York’s comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli.

The new centre is seen as another step in attracting large-scale investment to Northern Ireland, following last week’s US investment conference which saw representatives from 80 corporations visiting the Province,

Speaking at the launch, Mr Donaldson said: “The opening of the Presidents’ Club today will provide an important link between Northern Ireland and the USA by helping to foster new relationships in commerce and trade.

“The club is a tangible demonstration to potential investors that the private sector here is serious about providing the resources and networking opportunities for new investors and also for Northern Ireland companies seeking to do business in the USA.”

Last week’s three-day investment conference was the fifth to persuade US firms to invest here.

Around 120 executives listened to promotional messages from Invest NI, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Taoisheach Brian Cowen.

Invest NI hopes the conference will persuade some firms to invest, but it could take three years to see the first results.

Mr Donaldson said: “There is great value in developing new collaborative networks which will assist in developing and strengthening business relationships across the Atlantic.

“The Presidents’ Club, which is part of the Midtown Centre, will enable local and international companies within the creative industry and tech sectors to avail of high-quality office space.”