Twenty-five Northern Ireland companies began a five-day trade mission to the US and Canada yesterday.

It is the first organised by Trade International to North America this year and is centred on the key business locations of Boston and Montreal.

Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey said he was impressed by the number of companies and the broad base of industries represented on the mission.

"It is particularly encouraging to have representation from technology sectors such as software and telecommunications," he said.

The minister said recent indications that the US economic downturn may have bottomed out "suggest that the companies on this mission could find it a well-timed visit".

North America was Northern Ireland's most important export market in 1999/2000, he said, purchasing manufactured goods from Industrial Development Board client companies worth more than €1 billion. It also continued to be the North's most significant source of inward investment.

The choice of Boston as a mission destination "highlights how we are utilising facilities such as Northern Ireland's first Technology and Development Centre, which I opened in Boston late last year", Sir Reg said.

He continued by saying he was also confident there were substantial business opportunities in Montreal and other Canadian regions. - (PA)