The British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown, said last night it was vital that the political deal on Northern Ireland be accompanied by economic advance.
He is to visit Northern Ireland early next month to outline full details of the British government's jobs-and-investment package to encourage long-term business ventures.
In a speech to bankers at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York last night, Mr Brown said: "As we strive together for political stability, it is essential that the path-breaking political settlement in Ireland be accompanied by economic initiatives that help improve employment prospects and long-term business investment both from within Ireland and outside Ireland in the Northern Ireland economy.
"I will be making a visit to Northern Ireland in early May when I will outline full details of the British government's economic package.
"Its main thrust will be job-creation based on the modernisation and regeneration of the Northern Irish economy through the encouragement of long-term business investment."
Mr Brown has already held talks with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank about the issue.
The British Paymaster General, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, will visit Northern Ireland next week to hold discussions with interested parties and to lay the groundwork for the Chancellor's visit.