US investment gets rapturous welcome
North Belfast News
April 19th, 2008
LOCAL politicians and business groups have welcomed news that the North is to receive $150million of US public investment. New York City Comptroller, William C. Thompson Jr, announced the investment in New York on Friday last.
He said the trustees of the fund were committing the money to the Emerald Investment Development Fund, which will target infrastructure investment projects.
Speaking at the announcement, First Minister Ian Paisley said: “This investment confirms that Northern Ireland has turned a corner. “We are now a sound investment location that can provide the right calibre of people and projects to successfully underpin further inward investment, particularly from the US.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness added: “This investment comes from the pension funds of ordinary people, many of whom are represented here today, such as firefighters, police officers, teachers and government employees.
“It is in effect the ordinary people of the US investing in the future of the ordinary people of the North of Ireland...?"
The objectives of our US-NI Investment Conference in May will be best delivered by those investors who prioritise such sustainable economic investment in partnership with sustainable social investment, he said.
Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Maskey welcomed the investment. He said: “I hope the effects of this investment will be felt throughout the North, particularly in areas of high social need, such as West Belfast.
A spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses said: “The FSB welcomes the US decision to invest in businesses in Northern Ireland. “We believe it will have a very positive knock-on effect for small and medium-sized businesses, which make up the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy.
“We also praise the efforts of locally elected politicians in helping to secure these funds from the US,??? he added.
