Paisley And McGuinness Welcome Start Of Investment Conference In The North

First Minister Ian Paisley and deputy First Martin McGuinness have heralded the US-NI investment conference as a potential catalyst for economic transformation in the North.

Welcoming the delegation from the US which arrive in Belfast on Tuesday, Dr Paisley said: " This conference is a vitally important one for us all. In these difficult economic times it is a matter of great encouragement that we have exceeded our expectations in terms of numbers of leading business and political figures that have come to join us. We are also delighted to welcome the Prime Ministers of Britain and the Republic of Ireland and also the endorsement of US President Bush and EU Commission President Barroso for the conference.

"Over the next three days we have the opportunity to sell Northern Ireland in an unprecedented format and I am confident that when we place our many attributes on the table we can make a case that these potential investors will find difficult to resist.

"It is indeed fitting that this conference should coincide with the first anniversary of the restoration of devolution here and I believe that the political progress over the last year can be an example as we seek to achieve an economic transformation which will benefit all our people."

Mr McGuinness said: "As joint leader of the Executive it gives me great pleasure to see this hugely important conference begin and I would join with the First Minister in welcoming the delegates who are joining us today. Over the last twelve months we have found that from the White House to Wall Street every door has been opened to us.

"This conference comes as the result of much hard work and planning and the level and quality of the delegations that are joining us speaks volumes for the interest and goodwill that exists within the US and of the engagement that we have been involved in over the last year.

"That engagement has already reaped rewards with the likes of the recent announcement of a $150million investment by the New York Comptroller Office and I am particularly pleased to welcome Mr William Thompson the New York Comptroller here along with the likes of Duncan Niederaurer CEO of the New York Stock Exchange and the Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg.

"Our hope is that we can build on the good start that has been made and I believe that this conference will prove a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of our society."