Possible plans to locate a golf resort in Co Antrim had surfaced after First Minister Ian Paisley met Mr Trump in New York during a recent visit to the USA.

The First Minister said they had a "very good" meeting to discuss the possibility of Mr Trump locating a £1bn golf resort here.

A source close to Mr Paisley said the purpose of Mr Sorial's visit was to explore possibilities.

"Nothing has been agreed and this is very much an exploratory trip but if Donald Trump is going to invest in Northern Ireland he would certainly be welcome," said the source.

"That would represent a huge boost to the economy and would prove the worth of the (First and Deputy First Minister's) trip to America."

However in an interview on the BBC last night Mr Trump emphasised that it was he who had been approached on the matter.

"I never said I was going to Northern Ireland, they want me there," he said.

According to reports, Mr Sorial is due to arrive here today with another prominent American businessman. A private dinner will be held at Parliament Buildings hosted by Ian Paisley Jr, following which it is thought Mr Sorial will take the opportunity to examine possible investment projects.

It is not yet clear exactly what projects Mr Sorial may be looking at, but it is believed that one possibility may be the Runkerry development near the Giant's Causeway, where plans for a golf course and hotel have been previously mooted.

Hopes that Northern Ireland might be considered for such a development were boosted recently after councillors in Scotland rejected plans for such a development in Aberdeenshire.

The Scottish Executive is carrying out an inquiry into the council's handling of the planning decision meaning the proposal may yet get the go-ahead.

Whether or not Trump will be tempted to shift his plans across the Irish Sea is not clear.

Yesterday he lavished praise on Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and described the planning issues in Aberdeen as a "little road block".

However he said he'd received no assurances from Mr Salmond that the application would be given the green light.

Opposition Assembly members in Scotland have accused the SNP-led government of trying to get the plan pushed through.

However, Mr Salmond told the Holyrood scrutiny committee that he has never used his role as First Minister to influence the council's decision making process.