OPENING ADDRESS:WHEN AMERICANS, particularly businessmen, thought of Northern Ireland, "for a long time, the first thing that came to mind was not investment opportunities," the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said at the beginning of yesterday's Conference on Northern Ireland at the US State Department.

Now, thanks to “courage and hard work . . . when people say Northern Ireland, the words that come to mind are ‘reconciliation, hope and opportunity’,” Mrs Clinton said.

“People are understanding the economic potential of Northern Ireland . . . a prime location; two world-class research institutions; an educated, competitive workforce; a superior telecommunications infrastructure.”

The reason the conference was held in her department and not at the department of commerce or trade was “because a strong economy will help to establish lasting peace”, Mrs Clinton said.

“Northern Ireland is not only looked at with admiration and hope, but now has the opportunity and the responsibility to deliver on that . . . The best antidote to a history that otherwise imprisons you is an opportunity that liberates you . . . We need to prove that peace pays off.”

“The Northern Ireland executive is determined to deliver economic stability,” said First Minister Peter Robinson. He thanked Mrs Clinton for all she has done for the North, as first lady, senator and secretary of state. “Madam Secretary, you were there at every stage,” he said. “When others patted us on the back and said ‘good luck’, you stuck with us.”

Mr Robinson cited the appointment of Declan Kelly as special envoy for the economy of Northern Ireland as an example of Mrs Clinton’s good judgement. Mr Kelly “is the driving force behind job creation. He has encouraged others to join his crusade,” he added.

Mr Robinson encouraged the business executives assembled to enjoy Northern Ireland’s golf courses, while Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness vaunted the pleasures of fly-fishing.

Minister of State for Development Peter Power, who represented Dublin at the conference, said the thing which most impressed him was “the shared commitment and the absolute determination of both Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness to drive the economy and drive investment and jobs forward. They’ve travelled such a long journey together.”