Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers will press US business leaders for greater investment during a four-day visit to America.

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness will attend the Fortune 500 dinner in Washington DC today with chief executives from some of the most successful companies.

Later in the week they meet mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg and New York city comptroller William C Thompson Jnr.

Mr Robinson said: "This is a very important week for Northern Ireland, over the next few days the Deputy First Minister and I will be meeting with the higher echelons of corporate America.

"We will be delivering the message that despite the global economic downturn that Northern Ireland remains very much open for business."

He said the Northern Ireland Executive was determined to deliver a vibrant and dynamic economy.

"This trip forms part of our overall objective of ensuring that the damage caused to Northern Ireland by the current economic crisis is kept to a minimum," he added.

In May US captains of industry visited Northern Ireland to learn of the investment opportunities. Around 150 business leaders representing 90 companies attended the events.

Despite the economic downturn, the falling value of sterling against the dollar could be used to attract funds from across the Atlantic.

Four New York city pension funds are to invest a total of 150 million in the Emerald Infrastructure Development Fund in Northern Ireland.

Mr McGuinness said: "This visit to the US allows us to build on the many relationships and friendships that were established during that (US/NI) conference and establish new opportunities with the leading 500 American companies."

"The economy remains at the centre of the Executive's programme and one of the main reasons we are here this week is to remind American companies that we can provide an excellent opportunity for those who want to access the EU market."