THE NEW US economic envoy has said he will work to advance the “long-term investment of time and confidence” by the US in the North. It was a “very important moment” in relations between the two countries, he said.
Declan Kelly (41), a native of Tipperary, made his first appearance in his new role at the headquarters of inward investment agency Invest NI. The former journalist, now a successful businessman and an adviser to US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, said he was “honoured and humbled” by his appointment.
Following a briefing with Minister for Enterprise Arlene Foster and Invest NI head Alistair Hamilton, Mr Kelly said: “I’m greatly encouraged by all the things I’ve learned already and I think there’s great potential.”
He said he would spend as much time as possible in the North working to further its economic development, but denied he had arrived with any “prescription or magic wand”.
He said he had “a number of ideas” and these would be examined in the months ahead.
Mr Kelly, a former vice-president of global business consultancy FTI, serves on the American Ireland Fund and is chairman of the US Foundation Board of NUI Galway, where he once studied. His brother, Alan, is a Labour MEP.
He said the US had been committed to Northern Ireland over recent decades. “It is absolutely imperative that we continue with that progress,” he said. Referring to Mrs Clinton he added: “The US secretary of state is 100 per cent committed to this region and she has spoken to me on many occasions about her passion for making sure that the work that has been done over the last decade and her own personal commitment and that of her husband and that of the president of the United States.”
Mr Kelly’s appointment was confirmed on Friday and his appearance in Belfast was organised at the last minute to coincide with existing plans for the new US ambassador to London, Louis Susman, to visit Northern Ireland.
Mr Susman was accompanied by the new US consul general, Kamala Lakhdhir.
Ms Foster said: “The US has played an important role in Northern Ireland’s growth and development, bringing significant change to trade and investment opportunities here.”
She said 14,000 people in the North worked for US companies and that North America was the second largest export market after the Republic. Since 2002, US companies had invested £823 million (€933 million) in the North, she said, making it the biggest inward investor.
Asked by The Irish Timesif he viewed his new role as political, Mr Kelly said: "No, I don't. My role is very specifically in the economic arena. I'm not a politician and I've no desire to be one. My background is in business and in commerce and in encouraging people to trade and do business."
Asked if Mrs Clinton could be expected to visit the North soon, he said: “She intends to come here as soon as her diary allows.”