This week many of the leaders of the NI political parties decamped to New York and Washington DC for the annual ‘Shamrockathon’ when they get to meet President Obama and his administration. There are very few other parts of the world that get an annual audience with an American President, so it’s safe to say that we usually milk it for all its worth.
In the last few days, the First and deputy First Minister have been out selling the message of the incoming lower rate of Corporation Tax in NI to our US cousins. In 2018 the rate is set to reduce to as much as 12.5% which would put the North on an even keel with the Republic of Ireland. In New York this week, they announced the establishment of a new Advisory Council to support trade and investment between Northern Ireland and the US to help the Northern Ireland Executive accelerate opportunities. The Advisory Council is expected to have six members in each location and will be fully operational by late spring 2016.
Gerry Adams was left a little red faced (under his beard) when the Secret Service denied him entry to the White House after being invited to attend the Presidential St. Patrick’s Day reception. After 90 minutes of trying to get in, Adams gave up the ghost. Ego bruised, it only created a small diplomatic incident and the world remained on its axis.
Meanwhile in the south of France, the leadership of Belfast City Council took a few plane loads of our key commercial property specialists and other organisations off to Cannes for the revitalised MIPIM property conference. Belfast has some significant investment opportunities on the horizon and with the focus on the creation of Grade A office space in the city. Coupled with the push to drive trade and investment and a reduced corporation tax rate, we could start to actually become one of the most attractive propositions in Europe.
Campaigning has started for the NI Assembly Election in early May with prospective candidates gracing the airwaves and pages of the local media. So far its lots of shaky voices and overly coiffured hairstyles, but as the weeks roll on the bigger beasts will awaken and hopefully provide us with some entertainment as they go head to head.