Washington and Boston will hear Northern Ireland’s pitch this week. The Secretary of State, Hilary Benn MP, heads to Washington D.C. for St Patrick’s Day events, while Parliamentary Under-Secretary Matthew Patrick MP takes a tech-focused programme in Boston. The UK Government says the twin visits are about deepening ties and promoting Northern Ireland as a place to invest, work and live. (gov.uk)

In the US capital, Benn will meet administration officials, members of Congress and business leaders. His brief includes championing Northern Ireland’s investment case and updating counterparts on political progress back home. “I’m looking forward to representing the UK Government in Washington and promoting Northern Ireland as a great place to invest,” he said ahead of departure. (gov.uk)

Alongside the trade push, Benn is expected to outline the Joint Framework on addressing the legacy of the Troubles, agreed with the Irish Government in September 2025, and the UK’s new Northern Ireland Troubles Bill to repeal and replace the 2023 Act. Officials say both are designed to rebuild confidence in truth and justice mechanisms. (gov.uk)

Over in Boston, Minister Patrick’s schedule leans into tech. Meetings with Invest NI, Rapid7 and aPriori are planned, reflecting a Belfast–Boston axis that already houses major cyber and advanced manufacturing teams. Invest NI, the region’s economic development agency, is using the week to court fresh US investors. (gov.uk)

Rapid7’s Belfast operation has become the company’s largest R&D hub outside the United States, with over 350 staff based across eight floors on Chichester Street. The Boston‑headquartered cyber firm has been scaling in Northern Ireland since 2014, making it a natural bridge for transatlantic work. (rapid7.com)

aPriori’s Belfast team has also been growing, recently taking Grade A office space in the city to support clients in cost and design for manufacturing. Its Boston roots and Belfast presence make it another obvious partner for deeper collaboration. (newsletter.co.uk)

Patrick will also deliver a keynote on Tuesday 17 March at an Evacuation Day commemoration in Boston, marking 250 years since British troops withdrew from the city in 1776 - an anniversary that sits alongside the St Patrick’s celebrations. (gov.uk)

Why it matters for the North of England? The United States is a major investor in Northern Ireland and its second‑largest export market, shaping deal flow with firms across Manchester, Leeds and the North East. Invest NI’s latest accounts highlight the US as a significant FDI source, while OCO Global estimates American investors delivered almost half of NI projects over the past decade. (investni.com)

Back in Washington, the diplomatic piece is just as relevant to business confidence. The Joint Framework with Dublin set out a new approach to legacy issues last autumn; the Troubles Bill now before Westminster aims to implement it, replacing the widely criticised 2023 law. Clean, workable mechanisms here are seen by investors as signals of stability. (gov.uk)

As for the pitch, Patrick’s line is straightforward: Northern Ireland is “open for business” with a fast‑growing tech sector and deep pools of engineering talent. Weeks like this are about turning that pitch into US contracts - and making sure Northern wins are not confined to London boardrooms. (gov.uk)