Business leaders in the north west have appealed to the former US president Mr Bill Clinton to help promote the area as a potential investment location for US companies.
Dr Alan McClure, the president of Derry Chamber of Commerce, told Mr Clinton yesterday the region wanted to attract further US investment to help develop the local economy.
Mr Clinton received an enthusiastic welcome from more than 300 business people who attended the private dinner. His decision to single Derry out during his fourth visit to the North was widely applauded.
Mr Clinton was accompanied by his daughter Chelsea, and people who attended said the visit had brought an air of excitement to the city and a "welcome spotlight on a positive message".
Mr Clinton listened intently last night as Dr McClure told him that the city of Derry had a special bond with the US. "The Declaration of Independence is in the handwriting of Charles Thompson of Maghera and it was printed by John Dunlap of Strabane," Dr McClure said.
He hoped the new partnership approach adopted by the city of Derry would encourage further investors to locate in the region. He said the key to achieving this was to persuade investors that Derry and the north-west could offer long-term security and political stability.
