Deputy First Minister says NI presence in Washington is important for investment - highlighting defence and aerospace sectors
Emma Little-Pengelly says the presence of local ministers in Washington for St Patrick’s Day is important, so that it is not left to the Irish government to use the opportunity “just to promote themselves”.
The DUP deputy first minister, who is in Washington DC for a series of meetings with political and business leaders, said the week is not just about meeting President Trump but about links between Northern Ireland and the USA.
Sinn Fein and Alliance ministers are boycotting the event in protest at the policies of the US leader, but the DUP politician said it is important to “respect the democratic decision of the American people”.
Speaking to the News Letter from the US capital, Mrs Little-Pengelly said that she has no doubt the trips result in investment for Northern Ireland, arguing that it is important to keep those relationships alive.
She also highlighted the importance of Northern Ireland’s position in the United Kingdom and Nato as key selling points for the province in the US.
The Stormont leader said there is potential for collaboration in the aerospace, defence and security sectors. Northern Ireland’s experience with internationally renowned companies like Thales and Shorts is also attractive for US investors, she said.
“This is a huge growth area everywhere. Obviously what has happened in recent years, not just the global conflict and instability, means that a lot of places are investing heavily in defence, but also the push led by this US administration to encourage, strongly, Nato members to increase the amount that they're spending in defence as part of their GDP.
“There is opportunity there for our companies. We're never going to be a low-cost manufacturing base, but what we can do is really provide that innovation within defence, particularly in relation to things like composites technologies.
“That's why you're seeing some of our companies doing exceptionally well at the moment.
“I think the other thing to consider is the fact that the Ministry of Defence has given commitments around increasing the spend in Northern Ireland per head of the population. That means support coming in for companies, either based in Northern Ireland, or those thinking of investing in Northern Ireland. That's a big opportunity for us,” the Lagan Valley MLA said.
“A huge part of this is getting Northern Ireland as a place on their radar – trying to explain some of those key differences. The fact that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, that we're part of Nato.
“Companies that perhaps have invested in London or in Great Britain – there's opportunities in terms of setting up in Northern Ireland as well.
“You're conscious all of the time you're talking to a number of different people in the room, some people who will know nothing about Northern Ireland, some people who have visited before – have knowledge of investing in Great Britain, or in the Republic of Ireland.
“But they maybe haven't thought about investing in Northern Ireland before. We've got a number of really good selling points. The fact that we have a relatively low cost setup compared to a lot of places in the south, or in and around London.
“We've got low staff turnover for companies, so people tend to stay longer within companies. If companies invest in those people and they get that return. We've got our unique packages of support through Invest NI and it’s about making people aware of that as well.
“We've had so much growth, particularly in professional services. They like the fact that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom’s strong regulatory context – that suits them in terms of setting up and it gives a lot of protection,” she said.
The absence of SF and Alliance ministers is a “missed opportunity”, according to Mrs Little-Pengelly – who said local people from universities, business and the civic and third sectors were there “putting their shoulder to the wheel” to showcase Northern Ireland.
On her executive colleagues, she said: “Even if they're not going in to speak with the president, but to go to these events that are so important for promoting Northern Ireland.
“You will not get a similar type of event or programme where you're going to be speaking to hundreds of people – many of whom are either investors or interested in investing. My view very strongly is that, yes, Northern Ireland should be here.”