A number of Northern Ireland's most innovative software companies, along with 12 software firms from the Republic, have taken part in their first trade mission to San Jose in California's Silicon Valley. The trip was organised jointly by Trade International, the IDB's export and trade division, and the Republic's trade promotion agency Enterprise Ireland.

IDB chairman Dr Alan Gillespie said that the aim of the mission was to help companies to make business contacts, and to look into possible business co-operation in areas including technology transfer and joint ventures.

"This is a good time for a mission to San Jose," Dr Gillespie said, "because California is experiencing serious skills shortages, and companies in the area are particularly keen to examine new products, and to look at the possibility of outsourcing some of their requirements."

He said that software was one of the fastest-growing sectors in Northern Ireland.

Employment has increased by 50 per cent over the past five years, and is expected to achieve similar growth to the year 2001.

Taking part in the trip were leading Belfast software companies Andor Technology, CEM Systems, Kainos, and the Newry-based First Derivatives. Three of the firms already have significant business in North America. Andor, for example, provides scientific instruments for light measurement to major corporations such as Eastman Kodak and Westinghouse.

Also on the trip, the final stage in the IDB's 11-city promotional tour of north America, was Northern Ireland's Education and Training Minister Mr John McFall. He said that a number of high-technology firms from Northern Ireland had already business dealings with companies in Silicon Valley.