The Northern Ireland Office has confirmed that a trade summit will take place this September 12th and 13th in Northern Ireland.
More than 100 global investors are confirmed to be attending from the USA, Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific regions.
The summit’s aim is to demonstrate the opportunities of the Windsor Framework, which were outlined by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier this year.
Several UK government ministers are to attend the summit, including Business & Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and Housing & Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove. The US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, Joseph Kennedy III will also attend.
As there is currently no functioning Northern Ireland Executive, there will be no Northern Ireland ministers attending the event.
The leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Doug Beattie, had asked the government to delay the summit to allow NI ministers to attend, but it was not postponed.
The US multinational financial group Citi has been confirmed as the event’s principal partner.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said:
“In just four weeks, leading investors and international businesses from around the globe will see first hand the talent and expertise Northern Ireland has to offer.”
“The Summit is a fantastic and exciting event which will support the UK Government’s vision for a prosperous Northern Ireland 25 years on from the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.”
Minister for Investment Lord Dominic Johnson said:
“As the UK’s second largest tech hub outside London, we are witnessing a great transformation of business and communities as overseas investment floods into Northern Ireland.”
“This September’s Investment Summit will provide the rocket fuel for Northern Ireland businesses to launch into new frontiers across technology, finance, and more.”
