Little-Pengelly says NI deserves its place on global stage as she heads to Washington for St Patrick's Day
Stormont’s deputy First Minister says her visit to Washington DC this week is a “vital opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland” – as she and her DUP colleagues on the Executive fly out without their Sinn Fein and Alliance counterparts.
At the weekend, Naomi Long said that she would not be attending, citing a number of reasons relating to President Donald Trump’s behaviour, including how he “disgracefully disrespected war veterans and continues to threaten US traditional allies”.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill is also boycotting the annual event for the second year running, in protest at President Trump’s approach to the Middle East. Last year the Sinn Fein minister didn’t attend over the US President’s support for Israel in its war with Islamists in Gaza.
However, unionist ministers will be travelling to the annual festivities to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint – with the DUP deputy First Minister saying Northern Ireland “deserves its place on the global stage”.
She will attend a number of events including a reception at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump and the Speaker’s Luncheon in the U.S. Capitol with Speaker Mike Johnson and the President.
The DUP expects that its ministers will attend the White House reception, but has acknowledged that may be overtaken by events related to the war in Iran.
The deputy First Minister will also host the NI Bureau Breakfast. Her Executive Office department says she will “address an audience of more than 300 key stakeholders including representatives from politics, business academia and cultural sectors”.
Mrs Little-Pengelly said: “St Patrick’s Week in Washington DC is a vital opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland as a great place to live, work, visit, study and invest. This week is also an opportunity to champion Northern Ireland businesses, strengthen trade links with the U.S. and support our companies to expand exports and build new partnerships.
“We are committed to developing a globally competitive and sustainable economy and want to partner with businesses, including in the U.S., to help us achieve that vision.
“Already 70% of U.S businesses who have invested in Northern Ireland reinvest and expand and I want to continue to build on that.
“So this week will be about shining a spotlight on what we have to offer. From meetings with the President, to engagements with key stakeholders, my focus will be on highlighting our position as world leaders in a range of key sectors including cyber security, FinTech, RegTech, advanced manufacturing and health sciences, as well as our skilled workforce and world class universities.
“Our businesses are now exporting to over 100 countries across the world; we are the second most competitive region in the UK for attracting inward investment; and we have been ranked number one in Europe for Foreign Direct Investment Strategy among mid-sized regions.
“We have such a good story to tell. We deserve our place on the global stage and this week will be about making sure we maximise our full potential.”
She will also address a special event organised by the Department for Communities and the America 250 Commission to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
She said: “This special event will be an opportunity to commemorate a defining moment in global history and celebrate the enduring connections between NI and the U.S. which have been shaped by our rich cultural, historical and personal links.”