President Barack Obama’s new economic envoy to Northern Ireland today arrived in Belfast less than 72 hours after being appointed.
Irish-born businessman Declan Kelly said his appointment was part of a long-term commitment to Northern Ireland by the United States.
Mr Kelly today held a series of meetings with business and political leaders, accompanied by the new US Ambassador to London, Louis Susman, who was making his first visit to the North since being appointed by Mr Obama.
He accepted global economic conditions were difficult at present but pledged he would leave no stone unturned to ensure continued US investment in Northern Ireland.
In the past seven years US companies have invested £823 million in Northern Ireland and directly employ 14,000 people. “That is something I want to build on,” said Mr Kelly. “This is going to be a long-term investment of time in this region and I am confident that by the time we have done we will have made a difference.”
Mr Kelly said: “This is a very important moment in the relationship between our two peoples. The Secretary of State of the United States is 100 per cent committed to this region.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had spoken to him on numerous occasions about making sure the work of the past decades, including that by her former president husband Bill Clinton, continued, he said.
“My job is to be here as frequently, as often as I can to promote trade and investment between our countries and to make sure no stone is left unturned to ensure continued investment in Northern Ireland,” he said.
He said Mrs Clinton intended to visit Northern Ireland to demonstrate her commitment as soon as her diary allowed. “She is overwhelmingly committed to this area.”
Ambassador Susman said Northern Ireland was “a major priority” for the United States. “We have no other country, that I know of, that has a State Department special Economic Envoy. We want to do everything possible to promote the economic interests of Northern Ireland,” he said.
He said he wanted to compliment the people of Northern Ireland “on the progress that has been made in terms of political stability and economic development and quality of life for your citizens.”
PA