Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has highlighted the importance of developing European business links when he met the Dutch trade delegation.

This is the first delegation lead by Dutch Foreign Trade Minister, Frank Heemskerk, and the Dutch Ambassador to the UK, Pim Waldeck since the restoration of devolution.

The 25 business strong delegation included senior representatives from the major companies; Stork Fokker Aerospace, Galtee Meats (Holland), Tocardo Tidal Energy, VDL Bus and Wegener Multimedia. Key officials of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs were also part of the group.

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Welcoming Minister Heemskerk and Ambassador Waldeck to Parliament Buildings, Minister Dodds said: "2008 is a new year of economic opportunity for Northern Ireland and I want to build on every prospect of trade linkages with Europe and the rest of the world.

"Today's visit by this influential group of business leaders is a real opportunity for us to significantly enhance the already strong relationship which exists between Northern Ireland and the Netherlands."

Annual exports to this significant European market are currently worth around £113m and they are growing steadily as a result of a series of initiatives driven by Invest NI, Lisburn City Council and other local authorities.

Mr Dodds went on to say: "The recent increased scheduled air services to and from Amsterdam by Aer Lingus and easyJet, will boost the local tourism industry and allow Northern Ireland companies to benefit from the relative ease of access to the market."

This was the first visit to Northern Ireland by a Dutch Minister since the restoration of devolution last year.

(GK/JM)