Northern Ireland is open for business, NI Secretary tells US officials

Northern Ireland is open for business according to the Secretary of State who is in New York for a two day visit.

James Brokenshire says he's determined to maintain and strengthen the unique relationship between the UK, Ireland and the US.

He will take part in an intensive series of meetings and update senior political figures on the UK Government’s priorities in Northern Ireland.

Mr Brokenshire will also highlight ongoing engagement between the UK Government, Irish Government and the NI Executive following the vote to leave the EU.

The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said:

“I am determined to maintain and strengthen the unique relationship between the UK, Ireland and the US which is founded on centuries of shared history, geography and trade.

“Hard-won political stability makes Northern Ireland an outstanding place in which to invest and do business. In New York I am making clear to US partners that the UK government is doing everything possible to build on recent progress and create the right conditions for an even brighter future." he added.

US companies employ 23,000 people in Northern Ireland.

The US is Northern Ireland’s number one foreign direct investor and is also an important trading partner, accounting for over a fifth of Northern Ireland’s exports in 2015.

US-Northern Ireland ties also received a further boost in October when US firm, Black Duck Software announced 58 new jobs in a new Belfast office focussing on cutting-edge open source security research.

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State will describe a highly educated workforce, world class technology facilities and a respected pedigree in advanced engineering and manufacturing here.

Mr Brokenshire will also set out in bilateral meetings with senior political figures, including former-Senator George Mitchell and President of the Council on Foreign Relations Richard Haass, progress made on a range of issues a year on since the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement, including:

• Implementation of welfare reform legislation in Westminster putting the Executive’s finances on a more stable footing;
• Royal Assent for the Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan) Act;
• The first tranche of half a billion pounds of funding for shared and integrated education projects in Northern Ireland;
• Publication of a report from an independent panel on tackling paramilitary activity in local communities;
• A treaty signed with the Irish government to establish an Independent Reporting Commission – an international body established to promote progress towards ending paramilitary activity, which is due to be in place by the end of the year; and
• The restructuring of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.