A US trade delegation hoping to reinforce peace efforts with investment has started a visit to Northern Ireland,

Mr William Ginsberg, newly appointed Assistant Undersecretary of State at the Department of Commerce, was leading 11 companies on the four day mission to visit firms on both sides of the Irish Border.

"This mission demonstrates the Clinton Administration's policy of nurturing trade and investment opportunities," Mr Ginsberg said yesterday.

The business executives, representing technology companies, will try to find partners for trade in both Northern Ireland and Ireland. Mr Ginsberg replaces Mr Chuck Meissner, who died in a plane crash with Commerce Secretary Mr Ron Brown while on a mission to Croatia earlier this year.