Three US trade missions are scheduled to visit Northern Ireland before the end of the year. One will visit Belfast and Derry next month involving representatives from 15 American firms, led by the acting assistant secretary for trade development, Mr Ellis Mottur.

This mission will focus mainly on electronics, as well as on health, environmental and information technologies.

US Commerce Secretary Mr William Daley said that the trip had been organised before the IRA ceasefire, which he said had given it even greater importance, and went a long way to encourage commerce and investment in Northern Ireland.

The Derry section of the trip is being supported by the Derry Investment Initiative, which is holding a parallel inward investment event called "Profit in Europe". From October 22nd to 24th, a delegation of eight mayors and 65 business people from all over the US will be in Belfast, while from October 25th to November 4th, New Hampshire governor Ms Jeanne Shaheen will lead a business matchmaker mission to London and Dublin, with a visit to Belfast after the Dublin leg of the trip has been completed.

The US administration has consistently tried to strengthen economic links with Northern Ireland, with investment conferences on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as numerous trade visits.