The primary focus of the White House Conference for Trade and Investment in Ireland was to ensure that business representatives from the US, Northern Ireland and the Border counties were facilitated in every way possible in making contact with each other so that trade and investment opportunities could be identified and pursued.
An important element in this regard was the "matchmaker" programme promoted by the US Department of Commerce. This enabled selected Irish companies attending the conference to have contact with relevant US companies with a view to co-operation in areas of mutual business interest.
A number of follow-up activities have taken place since the Washington conference.
In October 1995, the late US Assistant Secretary at the Department of Commerce, Mr. Clarke Meissner, led a business matchmaker mission to Northern Ireland and the six Border counties of 19 US companies who were seeking Irish partners. During the visit, meetings were arranged with a range of companies from the Border counties. It is anticipated that positive results will emerge from this initiative.