Another key sector earmarked for further growth is tourism. An end to ongoing political violence has provided a boost for an industry that struggled seriously under the pressure of relentless news reports depicting bombs, shootings and street violence. Yet Northern Ireland has a wonderful array of coast and country, city and hamlet, mountains and lakes.

The re-emergence of tourism has once again opened up Northern Ireland to the world. Visitors are amazed by the variety of its beauty, from the Glens of Antrim to the Fermanagh Lakelands so beautifully depicted in the art of TP Flanagan. There is the fabulous walking and climbing of the peaks of the Mourne Mountains spread across County Down and made iconic in that traditional song by Percy French, Oh Mary this London’s a wonderful sight, With people here working by day and by night…but for all that I found there, I might as well be where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.” A significant number of decisions on relocation have been taken after senior executives of companies have come to see the quality of life for themselves.

Business infrastructure is also excellent. Any knowledge economy relies on telecommunications as its backbone, and Northern Ireland can now boast 100 per cent broadband coverage. Across the border in the Republic, telephone services are still seen as being second class. This is true much more in the perception than in the reality, but old habits die hard and the fact that Northern Ireland is now universally wired for online access gives it a distinct business advantage.