[ad_1] Business editor Margaret Canning picks some highlights from a big day at the Northern Ireland Investment Summit At 8am, a networking breakfast is held for the 800 or so delegates, of whom about a quarter are the much-discussed global investors. But the media are excluded, and we’re served our own breakfast items. There’s a scone/muffin hybrid, with ‘fermented blackberry’ jam, and mini-flapjacks with chocolate chips on top. Cravings for simpler fare like a bacon roll, or even a croissant, aren’t to be satisfied. Filter coffee and teabags and hot water are on offer. A ripple of joy spreads when a member of ICC staff discloses that he can serve us Americanos and cappuccinos. But his largesse has a limit – he refuses a request for an 11am pint from an unidentified member of the media. 9.30am: Following his welcome to delegates, Secretary of State for NI Chris Heaton-Harris and Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch give a press conference to media. They’re both keen to dispel the idea that the absence of an Executive makes the whole event a damp squib. The Business and Trade Secretary says that her department is here as a facilitator to introduce businesspeople, then leave the stage. Still, a First Minister and Deputy First Minister would have been nice. 10.45: We haven’t seen that many politicians around, and it seems the DUP have deliberately given Chris Heaton-Harris’ opening address a miss. Then word spreads than Sir Jeffrey is in the building and on his way up. The buzz increases, and there he comes, ascending the escalator flanked by ex-Economy Minister Gordon Lyons. Sir J is quizzed on political talks and his position on the Windsor Framework. He talks of the ‘ping pong and tennis’ of recent exchanges between the government and DUP about the position of talks. He’s not giving too much away. Joe Kennedy “we believe in the future of Northern Ireland” 11am: Head spinning with politics, it’s time to explore the main exhibition centre, where 19 firms like Cumulus Neuroscience, Collins Aerospace and Wrightbus are exhibiting their wares. It’s quiet, then I pop back around 30 minutes later, and the place is alive with the sound of business. It’s either that, or there’s a sugar high from the goodies on offer – rhubarb shortbread and house porter chocolate cake. 11.30 – it’s time for some Kennedy “stardust” – that’s the quality which Minister for Investment Lord Dominic Johnson ascribes to Special Economic Envoy Joe Kennedy III as they hold a cosy chat on stage. Lord Johnson says he’s got a set of notes so thick on Joe that they’re like the book in This Is Your Life. Does the joke work with an American audience? Not sure I’d have risked that one, Dom. Joe Kennedy III, US Special Economic Envoy Afternoon – talks and networking events continue, then news spreads that there’s a VIP visit – Princess Anne. She’s visiting the main exhibition area and all the companies are instantly hoping she’ll stop with them. The hardest-working royal dutifully stops for small talk with a number of companies, including Collins Aerospace. Sadly, she doesn’t take the opportunity to try out one of the aircraft seats they make in their factory in Kilkeel. She has a chat with NI Screen and our recently-minted Oscar winners Tom Berkeley and Ross White, creators of An Irish Goodbye. A member of media gets to hold their Oscar – and it’s heavy, she reports back. Princess Royal meets with businesses at the Northern Ireland Investment Summit 4pm – The event is winding down, and it’s down to Michael Gove, Minister of State for Levelling Up (and a litany of other things) to close proceedings. I’m curious as to his pulling power – will most of the delegates have nipped off at this point? But the hall where he’s speaking is packed out, believe me, as he extols NI as a great place to visit and a Hong Kong of the future. That the interest of delegates hasn’t flagged by this point really impresses me. 4.30pm – A US investor comes to speak to media, to wax lyrical on how great the event has been and to express what feel like sincere intentions to open up an office here. But we’re told to finish up as his bus his waiting to whisk him away to Hillsborough Castle for a closing reception. Where’s our invitation, we brood. Hopefully we see him back again to open a shiny new office in Belfast. [ad_2] Source link Post Views: 110 Post navigation How to Invest in Platinum Stocks Best Rollover IRAs in September 2023