Time to promote excellent relationships with the US: Dodds

The visit is the start of a five day trip which will include meeting business groups, potential investors, tourism stakeholders and US political representatives.

Speaking from New York, the Economy Minister said: “Our partnership with the US has the potential to deliver significant economic and social benefits and we will be seeking to build on the excellent work of the NI Bureau to promote Northern Ireland as a great place to visit and do business.

“Over 1,100 international companies have invested in Northern Ireland to date, and hundreds of Northern Ireland products and services are exported globally each year. This trip is about consolidating and promoting the excellent relationships we have with the United States.

“Northern Ireland has much to offer inward investors: we have a highly trained workforce along with competitive operating costs. The Invest NI team here in the US does an excellent job attracting new inward investment while supporting indigenous business within the export market.

“Tourism is also a hugely important industry to Northern Ireland supporting approximately 65,000 jobs. Visitors from North America contribute over £90million to our economy and I believe that tourism from the US can continue to grow significantly in the years ahead. I am looking forward to highlighting our many strengths, in the coming days, to a range of business groups, potential investors and prospective visitors.”