Deputy First Minister has said Northern
Ireland is a place that is building something extraordinary.
Addressing an audience of leaders and influencers from across
politics, business, academia and research institutions, the
voluntary and community sector and prominent think-tanks at the
annual NI Bureau Breakfast in Washington DC, the deputy First
Minister said: “Northern Ireland is a place of innovation and
talent; and a place where global companies come to invest and to
grow and it was great to hear such positive conversations
reflecting that within in the room.
“Today more than 1,500 international companies have chosen
Northern Ireland as their home. Companies from across the globe,
many of them American, have made our cities and communities their
home. And nearly two-thirds of those companies choose to reinvest
as they recognise that we offer something truly unique.”
Encouraging those who have never been to NI come and visit, she
added: “Entrepreneurs, investors and innovators, come and see for
yourselves and experience a place where global companies scale
ideas and where talent meets opportunity.
“Northern Ireland may be small, but our ambition is not, our
talent is not and our future is just getting started.”
The Deputy First Minister said this year was especially
significant as we mark the 250th anniversary of the US
Declaration of Independence.
She explained: “Northern Ireland is deeply woven into that
extraordinary moment in American history. Because among the
farmers, merchants, ministers and pioneers who helped shape early
America were thousands of immigrants from what is now Northern
Ireland — the Ulster Scots / Scotch Irish.
“They helped shape the ideas that would form the foundations of
the modern America and when we mark the 250th anniversary, we are
not simply marking a moment in American history, we are
recognising a shared story.”
Thanking everyone for attending the special event, she said: “Let
us deepen the partnership between Northern Ireland and the U.S.
and prove that when we work together, there is no limit to what
we can achieve.”
