An emphasis on arts and sport is the key ingredient of economic regeneration, the North’s First Minister Peter Robinson told a briefing today in Washington DC to mark St Patrick’s Day.
Over 400 people attended the breakfast event, which was organised to showcase Northern Ireland's tourist attractions and economic highlights to potential investors.
Expressing his appreciation of the relationship with the US administration, Mr Robinson said it had been an unwavering friend of Northern Ireland "in all weathers".
The DUP leader highlighted the "world-class achievements" of Northerners such as golfer Rory McIlroy and Oscar winner Terry George and said the North was now "a new and better place of hope and enthusiasm".
A number of events and anniversaries taking place this year in the North is expected to boost tourism. For the first time in over 60 years, the Irish Open golf tournament is being held in the North, at Royal Portrush, while the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is also expected to attract visitors.
Mr Robinson said the year would see Northern Ireland turn a "bright, confident face" to the world, with a major new arts centre opening in Belfast and a visitors' centre at the Giant's Causeway.
Despite the recession, the North had a good story to tell, he said. More jobs had been attracted than ever before in the past four years, and unemployment was less than half the rate in the Republic.
Mr Robinson, along with deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, is due to meet US President Barack Obama in the White House later today. Tomorrow, the two men travel to Canada to promote investment in the North, and visits to Dubai, India and China are planned for later in the year.
Mr McGuinness said economic progress could not be achieved without stable institutions and a stable executive.
"I'm proud to work with Peter Robinson. There's nothing for us to be ashamed of on the compromises on the journey to peace," he said.
