The U.S. Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly, welcomed today’s announcements by The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and Terex Corporation of new investments in Northern Ireland, which together will create approximately 60 new high quality jobs in the region.

The announcements came today at a press conference preceding the U.S. – NI Economic Conference 2010, an initiative, aimed at increasing trade and investment opportunities between the United States and Northern Ireland.  The announcements were attended by Darrell Zavitz, Vice President of Business Process Services Center at Dow, and Ronald M. DeFeo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Terex, along with First Minister Robinson, deputy First Minister McGuinness, Minister Foster and other Northern Ireland political leaders.
 
Dow announced plans to establish a Dow Design & Modify Supply Chain Center in Belfast which is expected to create 25 new highly skilled jobs. Terex announced plans to expand its existing operations in Northern Ireland by locating its European Global Business Services Center in Dungannon, which is expected to create 35 new highly skilled jobs.
 
 “The announcements by Dow and Terex signal once again that Northern Ireland is an extremely attractive location for U.S. companies looking to expand international operations,” stated Envoy Kelly, speaking from Washington, D.C.
 
 “Dow is one of the largest and best known brands in the world, and its new investment in Northern Ireland sends a very positive message to other companies interested in the region. I had the chance to meet with the Dow team during their visit to Belfast earlier this year and know they were very impressed by the highly skilled workforce, universities and government support for business.”
 
“Terex has been a long standing investor in Northern Ireland, and its new investment shows yet again that once a company has experienced Northern Ireland, it will continue to look to the region for continued growth because of all the advantages the region offers investors.”
 
“These announcements provide tremendous momentum for the U.S. – NI Economic Conference, where both Dow and Terex will have the opportunity to speak with potential investors and explain first-hand their reasons for selecting Northern Ireland for investment,” concluded Envoy Kelly.