BBC News Ni Business Representative

Northern Ireland’s business in North Carolina says it is in the United States “for strategic reasons, not just lip service”.
A delegation of NI Chamber is in the rally city, with representatives with Queens University Belfast, Investment Ni, Catalist, Software Ni – as well as the first and deputy first ministers and head of the civil service.
This comes when the Ni Chamber signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with the North Carolina Chamber last year, known as the Memorandum of Understanding (Mao).
One of the companies participating in the trip is a B secure, a Northern Ireland -based company that uses medical equipment to monitor heart health. The United States is its largest customer base.
‘Blowed’ by deer
CEO Alan Forman said: “America is a real target for us, but this is a very big place.
“We have some users in the west coast, the east coast, in the middle of manipolis, but it is really difficult to eliminate where your admission is located.
“As a relatively small company, you have to grow somewhere.”
He said that the impressions they are getting so far in the rally are that many people are pleasant.
“Generally, from North America they think of London or Dublin as entry into the western part of Europe, and we may have been in the shadow.
“The delegation was brought as we did and the Chamber did last year, it was only a skill.
“My first number of opinions that I am receiving is accessible to a large number of capabilities from both universities.
He added, “It’s incredible, it is equal to some of North America’s really large universities.”
How do Northern Irish business compete?

Mr Forman said that the important thing was that he himself was not there, but part of a delegation.
“I hit the minister this morning. These things are so powerful when I go with consumers and potential consumers today.
“It’s not just a lip service that we are coming for a single transaction, we are here for strategic reasons.”
Geo -political uncertainty
Suzanne Valley, CEO of Ni Chamber, said the visit was part of a long -term process and would invite a trade mission back from North Carolina to Northern Ireland in the summer.
He said some of his upcoming businesses, especially businesses, have already opened doors to the United States.
In particular, he said that parallel can be drawn between some sectors such as health and life science, Med Tech, Health Tech and financial services.
However, there has been more geographical political uncertainty this year than last year, including the introduction of President Trump’s revenue.
“While there is uncertainty all over the world right now,” businesses really just want to create relationships and want to do business with each other and some of our modern companies are looking for more investment, “he said.
He added, “We still have to go a long journey unless we know where it is going.”
The first minister Michelle and Neil will not go to the White House after the North Carolina event on Monday, as she is boycotting St. Patrick Day festivals there. President Trump’s stand on Gaza.
Instead, she will be going home, while Deputy Minister Emma Little will travel to Washington DC.
She will be present at the White House reception on Wednesday and is likely to meet President Trump.