A number of Stormont ministers are travelling to the United States this week ahead of the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations.
While First Minister Michelle O'Neill will boycott the events in Washington DC, she has travelled with the deputy First Minister to North Carolina where they are leading a delegation of local businesses to showcase the local economy.
During their visit they will mark the one-year signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the North Carolina and NI Chambers of Commerce.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Growing our economy is our focus for this important visit as we develop business and investment opportunities, strengthening our partnership with North Carolina.
“We have close economic ties with U.S. companies. We have welcomed over 1,300 international companies, creating thousands of good jobs in the process.
“We offer one of the most efficient business environments in Europe. We have a young, dynamic and highly skilled workforce with unique access to trade opportunities in Britain and Europe. The potential we offer is huge, and we compete on the world stage. That is the message I will be bringing to investors.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “The Memorandum of Understanding between both Chambers of Commerce was built on the commitment to work together, to unlock new economic opportunities, drive innovation, and create lasting business relationships. And one year on, it is clear that this partnership is thriving.
“Building the connections between ourselves and the U.S. is key to our economic growth and we are breaking new ground on this visit.
“There are such parallels between our economic strengths and the potential for this approach is huge. Our visit demonstrates our support for this approach as we recognise the benefits of the opportunity to come together, share expertise, explore new markets, and forge meaningful collaborations.”
Meanwhile, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald is visiting Boston and New York alongside Invest NI to promote Northern Ireland as a leading location for innovation, investment and international trade, as well as a great place to visit.
She will meet with senior executives from key US investors, and will engage with business leaders, potential new investors and industry networks. In addition, at a Tourism Ireland event, she will meet with leading American travel industry representatives to promote the north as a ‘must see’ destination for American visitors to Ireland.
Speaking from Boston the Minister said: “The United States remains one of our most important sources of inward investment with almost 300 US-owned businesses employing almost 32,000 people here. But investment is not a one-way process. Many companies from the north have also expanded into the US, creating jobs and driving innovation. Companies like Almac, Mallaghan Engineering and Randox are growing their presence in North America, underlining the mutual benefits of trade and investment.
“Strengthening these relationships is central to delivering my Economic Plan and this week I will reinforce the north’s position as an attractive, competitive, and strategic location for US businesses, while also supporting our companies to succeed internationally.”
The Minister added: “I will also be promoting our fantastic tourism offering to key players from the US travel industry. The United States is an extremely important market for our tourism sector and I am determined to continue to grow American visitor numbers to our regions in the years ahead.”
The Minister will deliver keynote speeches at business events in both cities, highlighting the economic benefits of dual market access, Northern Ireland’s world-class talent, and the opportunities for US companies to invest and expand.
Tomorrow (Tuesday 11 March), Health Minister Mike Nesbitt will travel to Washington DC where he hopes to strengthen transatlantic partnerships on health care including cancer care and health equity.
As part of the visit, he will engage with senior US government officials and congressional representatives at key Northern Ireland Bureau and White House St Patrick’s Day events.
The Minister’s programme includes high-level meetings with leading US healthcare leaders, universities, and global organisations. Central to the visit is engagement with a world-renowned national cancer institute, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre where he will deliver a keynote speech on improving cancer outcomes through advanced diagnostics, innovative technology and equitable healthcare access.
Engagement with Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and University College Dublin is also part of his schedule for the week.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Nesbitt said: “Cancer remains one of the most pressing global health challenges and international collaboration is key to advancing diagnostics, research and treatment. This visit is an opportunity to engage with international experts and leading institutions to ensure that Northern Ireland remains at the forefront of healthcare innovations and equitable access to high quality care.
“Northern Ireland has always had a strong and valued partnership with the United States and I hope this visit will help reinforce those ties. Ensuring health equity and achieving better health outcomes across all communities is a key priority for me as Health Minister. This visit will be a key step in furthering Northern Ireland’s commitment to global cooperation, healthcare excellence and improved health outcomes as well as opening new opportunities for groundbreaking research and technological advancements.”
The Health Minister will also be joined in DC by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons who said that he is using the visit to strengthen cultural and historical links between Northern Ireland and the US.
Speaking ahead of the five-day working trip the Minister said: “This is a unique opportunity to highlight our role in the formation of the United States 250 years ago and the role we continue to play today.
“I will be focused on strengthening our cultural and historical links as well as showcasing Northern Ireland as a place to visit, invest in and to discover more about the Ulster-Scots influence on modern America.
“I look forward to building upon the relationships forged over the last year to promote Northern Ireland’s participation in the semiquincentennial celebration.”
Minister Lyons will undertake a number of speaking engagements with a highlight event at the Smithsonian. A series of meetings is planned with a range of partners including the US-NI working group and the America 250 Committee.
The Minister will also undertake a number of diplomatic engagements and meetings as part of the Northern Ireland Executive delegation.
Minister Lyons added: “I have a busy programme planned but at its heart will be work to enhance existing relationships and to establish long-term collaborations with a key partner for Northern Ireland.
“The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 is an event of global significance and I want to ensure we are ready to mark the occasion and that our contribution, past and future, is recognised.”
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English (United States) ·