As a major exhibition on hi-tech approaches to healthcare in Northern Ireland was opened today, more than 100 executives from American companies have arrived for a major investment conference.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey opened the exhibition attended by some of the most prestigious IT companies in the world.

The exhibition starts a series of events culminating in this week's NI-US Investment Conference, which will also have a strong healthcare technology focus.

Over 40 companies exhibited examples of services and devices developed to help patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart failure and respiratory disease.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "Today we can catch a glimpse of the future and see first hand how technology offers us the opportunity to deliver better quality of care in new ways.

"New technologies can help people to better manage their conditions. They can also improve the delivery of care and the way we use our resources, support a shift from hospital care to the community - bringing care closer to home and reducing avoidable hospital admissions.

"In January I announced a £46 million investment for chronic disease management as well as a commitment to provide access to telemonitoring for 5,000 people by 2011.

Meanwhile, Invest Northern Ireland said nearly half the companies coming to the overall NI-US event would be visiting for the first time.

This is the fifth conference to persuade US firms to invest in NI, the first was after the 1994 IRA ceasefire.

The conferences between then and now have had to counter varying degrees of political uncertainty.

Speaking at the health related health expo, Minister McGimpsey concluded: "There are some very impressive examples of how technology has been introduced which has made a huge impact on people's lives.

"We will continue to build on this good work, so more people can benefit and more health care workers can become actively involved in this area as soon as possible."

The 'Connected Health Expo Day' was attended by the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Tevi. D. Troy who said: "The next three days will provide an unprecedented opportunity to capitalize on working partnerships between the United States and Northern Ireland.

"I commend Minister McGimpsey and his Department for providing a forum that will ultimately bring benefits to health-care professionals and patients on both sides of the Atlantic."

In all, 120 executives from 80 US companies are coming to the 36-hour event which will include a sales pitch from Invest Northern Ireland, speeches to the delegates from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and new Taoiseach Brian Cowen, and a gala dinner.

Invest NI hopes this showcase event will persuade at least some of those firms to invest - but as is the nature of these things it could be three years or more before its success can be judged.

(BMcC)