Twenty of New York's most influential business leaders will arrive in Northern Ireland tomorrow to take part in a special trade mission exploring investment opportunities and joint ventures with companies in the North.
New York City Economic Development Corporation, the city's primary vehicle for economic development services, is leading its first trade mission to Northern Ireland, which plans to meet start-up companies, particularly in the IT and telecoms sector, during its two-day visit.
According to Mr Gregory Miley, its senior vice-president, for corporate communications, the group believes US firms have a renewed interest in the North as an investment location.
He said the trade mission's primary objective was to showcase opportunities available to both US and Northern Ireland companies.
The corporation is perceived as one of the most influential business organisations in the United State and, together with the city's mayor, Mr Rudolph Giuliani, is widely credited with attracting substantial investment to rejuvenate New York.
The organisation's decision to visit Belfast and its success in attracting high-profile industry leaders to take part in the trade mission is being seen as a major coup for the North. A number of powerful venture capital groups are among the 20 business chiefs who will visit Belfast, many for the first time.
