Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister is in North America this week as part of a five-day visit to strengthen economic ties.
Conor Murphy is being joined by officials from Invest NI and with his visit including stops in Chicago and Toronto.
During the week the minister will lead a trade mission of twelve innovative Northern Irish businesses representing sectors including financial services, insurance, education, green energy, and manufacturing.
Minister Murphy will also be highlighting Northern Ireland’s unique post-Brexit trading position with access to both the EU and UK markets.
Speaking from Chicago, Minister Murphy said: "The U.S. and Canada are two of the North’s most important markets, both for exports and inward investment, with over 320 North American firms choosing to establish here.
In the twelve months leading up to March 2024, exports to these markets reached £2.3 billion, highlighting the wealth of opportunities available for local companies.
“This week, I’ll be meeting with key business leaders and politicians to strengthen our transatlantic relationships and build on our shared achievements. I'm also proud to lead a delegation of 12 companies from the north as they explore new partnerships and growth opportunities.
“Additionally, this week I’ll be highlighting dual market access, a key advantage for businesses seeking expansion, which, combined with our strong business environment, makes the north an ideal destination for foreign direct investment.”
During the visit, Minister Murphy will also meet with the Northern Ireland diaspora, to thank them for their ongoing engagement and support, and to reaffirm the strong ties between Northern Ireland, the U.S., and Canada.
He will also be meeting with key players from the tourism sector in Chicago and Toronto to promote the North’s great tourism offerings for American and Canadian visitors.
Andrea Haughian, Executive Vice President, Head of Americas - Invest Northern Ireland, highlighted the importance of the visit.
“Exporting is fundamental to Northern Ireland’s economic growth, and trade missions like this play a vital role in helping our businesses succeed on the global stage," she said.
“This week, our focus is on strengthening partnerships and creating new opportunities for Northern Ireland companies. We’re eager to engage with potential trade partners and demonstrate the unique benefits Northern Ireland offers to both investors and businesses alike.”
The visiting delegation, said an accompanying release, is made up of companies from a variety of sectors, providing innovative technology-led solutions for a range of industries including financial services, insurance, education, green energy and manufacturing.
"These Northern Ireland companies all have global customers and some already have a significant presence in terms of clients and business across North America."
