A delegation of US business executives arrived in the North yesterday as part of a scouting mission ahead of a major investment conference in Belfast next spring.

The deputation, which is led by the US ambassadors to Dublin and London, Tom Foley and Robert Tuttle, is examining investment opportunities in Northern Ireland in advance of the conference.

Behind-the-scenes Washington-Belfast contacts also continue to establish the chances of setting up a meeting between US president Bush and First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

President Bush's diary commitments could yet scuttle the chances of this Washington encounter taking place, sources said.

However, efforts are continuing to try to arrange the meeting to boost the prospects of the spring conference.

President Bush's special envoy to Northern Ireland, Paula Dobrianksy, was centrally involved in organising the two-day fact-finding mission.

More visits of a similar type are also planned ahead of the conference.

Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness will host a lunch for the ambassadors and the US bluechip company business leaders at Belfast Harbour Commissioners today.

Last night, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Nigel Dodds, held a dinner for the group at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Mr Dodds said the visit provided a great opportunity to "showcase" Northern Ireland.

He also availed of the dinner to make a pitch to his listeners for Northern Ireland as an investment zone for American business people.

"Northern Ireland offers a welcoming region where overseas investors will find a good supply of skills from a well-educated workforce, a strong infrastructure and third-level institutions where the commercial exploitation of R & D and innovation lie at the heart of the academic and skills agenda," said Mr Dodds.

"Increased levels of inward investment in high value, knowledge-based sectors will contribute to generating the growth and productivity improvements which will increase the economic prosperity of Northern Ireland in the longer term," Mr Dodds added.