Lyons in the US to bolster trade and investment

Date published: 15 March 2022

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today began a three-day trade and investment programme to the United States.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons in New York City at the start of a short visit to the United States.
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons in New York City at the start of a short visit to the United States.

During the visit, which begins in New York and will finish in Washington DC, he is due to meet existing investors as well as firms considering Northern Ireland as a potential location.

Speaking from New York at the start of the programme, which is supported by Invest Northern Ireland, the Minister said:

“The US continues to be a strong market for Northern Ireland, both in terms of exporting and inward investment. In fact, it is our second largest export market, with exports totalling £938million from Oct 20-Sep 21.

“Despite the pandemic, our investment pipeline remains strong and now that markets are opening again, it is great to be able to meet with potential investors and grow relationships in the US which will support trade and investment for the benefit of the Northern Ireland economy.”

The Minister opened his first day by attending a business breakfast organised by Tourism Ireland where he took the opportunity to promote Northern Ireland as a holiday destination to leading US travel industry professionals and journalists.

He then travelled to a Business 100 event which is due to be attended by 300 of the United States' most influential business leaders.

The Minister added:

“As outlined in my Department’s 10X vision, trade and investment are key to economic growth and prosperity. That is why it is important that I engage with many of the United States' most influential business leaders.”

In New York, the Minister was also due to meet with the East Coast Advisory Council at the New York premises of Qarik, a US technology firm which made its first investment in Northern Ireland in 2020:

“Through its strong network of contacts, the East Coast Advisory Council has been instrumental in helping Northern Ireland nurture new business relationships and grow existing ones, all of which have been key in helping us secure new investors like the investment by Qarik.

“It is very useful to learn all about Qarik’s positive experience of investing in Northern Ireland. The meeting is an opportunity for me to pass on my thanks to the Advisory Council for its continued advice and support as we work to grow our economy and our reputation as a great place to work and do business.”

Steve Harper, Invest NI’s Executive Director of International Business, said:

“As the world’s economies open up again it is great to be in the US, one of our most important trading partners. We are confident that there are further opportunities to tap into in the US market and I look forward to meeting with local influencers and potential new investors to explore new ways to benefit trade relations and build on our successes, particularly in inward investment and exporting.”

During the rest of his visit, the Minister will attend the NI Bureau’s St Patrick’s Day breakfast in Washington DC, meet with government officials including the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Department of Energy, and attend a White House reception.

Notes to editors: 

  1. The Department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the Department’s internal records management system. The Department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The Department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
  2. To keep up to date with news from the Department you can follow us on the following social media channels:
    Twitter – @Economy_NI
    Facebook – @EconomyNI
    Skills to Succeed Facebook
    Instagram – economy_ni
    LinkedIn – Department for the Economy NI 
  3. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk 
  4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page

Back to top