Donaldson Sells NI To American Investors

Despite turmoil and insecurity in the US markets, Jeffery Donaldson has been telling American investors to look to Northern Ireland.

During a meeting with officials from the Department of Commerce in Washington on Monday, Junior Minister Jeffery Donaldson was pitching Northern Ireland as an ideal location for investment opportunities.

Mr Donaldson said: "Northern Ireland can offer a great deal to American investors. We have a highly educated, skilled, English-speaking workforce, in a region with a strong work ethic and one of the youngest populations in Europe with 60% under the age of 40."

He said the Northern Ireland Executive was now a pro-business Executive and that £20 billion as being invested in Northern Ireland’s infrastructure over the coming decade.

"Northern Ireland is on the move and is open for business. We are also an easily accessible region with daily direct flights to and from numerous cities in Europe as well as New York. Now is the time to come and join us," he told the delegation.

Mr Donaldson later said: "Obviously business has to go on, the market's still out there, and there's been a very positive response to the message we've been giving out here in Washington about the investment opportunities in Northern Ireland."

The junior minister was attending the annual St Patrick’s day reception at the White House with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

(DW)