The Northern Ireland Development Board opened a new investment office in Boston this week. The move has been motivated by rising levels of US investment in Northern Ireland following the signing of the Belfast Agreement. In the past year, 13 of 21 new investment projects secured in Northern Ireland were from US companies in the software, call centre and Internet services sectors.

This month a trade mission from Massachusetts, led by state governor, Mr Cellucci, will visit Northern Ireland and the Republic to view potential investment opportunities.