2 December 2008 Robinson and McGuinness arrive in New York

During their time in New York, the Ministers will engage in a series of high profile meetings with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Comptroller General William Thompson, New York State Comptroller Thomas Di Napoli and Chief Executive of the New York Stock Exchange, Duncan Niederauer.

Mr Robinson said: “We have come to the financial heartland of America to secure the economic future of Northern Ireland. Over the coming days we will meet with some of the most powerful men in the United States. Never before have we had access to such vast pools of potential investment.”

Mr McGuinness: “It is clear that the product we are promoting is very attractive to potential investors. The fact that some of the world’s biggest funds and indeed the world’s biggest stock exchange are keen to meet with us, even in this gloomy economic climate, sends out a very clear signal.”

The Ministers will begin their series of engagements in New York by meeting Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Mr Robinson said: “Mayor Bloomberg has been tremendously supportive of the Northern Ireland Executive’s aim to build a vibrant and dynamic economy.

Mr McGuinness said: “Mayor Bloomberg’s endorsement of last year’s investment conference provided the credibility that the conference needed to be an economic success. I look forward to thanking him for all his support.”