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McDonnell: Transatlantic cooperation must be at heart of NI regeneration

SDLP Leader Alasdair McDonnell has said that economic cooperation between the North of Ireland and the USA must form a key part of the ongoing quest to regenerate the region.

Fri 30th March

Dr McDonnell said: “When in the USA last week, I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with Vice-President Joe Biden and, during that meeting, we discussed transatlantic economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of agri-food and creating high value added jobs with high-tech firms.

“I pointed out to the Vice-President that, while the people of the North are eternally grateful to successive US administrations for the role America played in achieving stability in the area, we must now move on from mere stability to proper economic delivery.

“Announcements like that made by the US-based Cowen Group that they are to create 50 financial services jobs in Northern Ireland are extremely welcome, but it must not be a one-off. Continued and substantive investment in the North from across the Atlantic must form a major plank in our economic strategy to build from peace to prosperity.”

Other than the President and Vice-President, Dr McDonnell also met with a variety of senior US politicians, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, current speaker John Boehner and Democratic rising star Senator Bob Casey.

Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP, MLA, Assembly

Email mcdonnella@parliament.uk
Tel 028 9024 2474

Press Office

Tel 028 90 52 1837

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