Last week's US-NI investment conference, at which jobs were announced for Belfast and the promise of investment in the future, has been criticised locally for appearing to have brought little by way of good news for the West.

That was an opinion put forward by Fermanagh-South Tyrone Assembly member, Gerry McHugh (Indpt) who is a member of the Assembly's influential Department of Trade Enterprise and Investment (DETI) committee, who was a guest at the two-day event.

SDLP Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly Member, Tommy Gallagher spoke of 'a feeling in the West' that, when it comes to job and investment opportunities, there is a big focus on Belfast: "But, there are many other good places to do business in the north rather than the major city', he suggested.

However, a spokesperson for DETI insisted that no one region was highlighted over another: "The US-NI Investment Conference was a one-time opportunity to promote the whole of Northern Ireland as a prime investment location to North American companies.

"In order to maximise the time available, the main elements of the conference took place in the Greater Belfast area for logistical reasons, beginning with a welcome reception in the Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra.

"Representatives from across Northern Ireland, including Fermanagh, were invited to various elements of the conference. Invest NI will follow-up with the delegates in an effort to identify potential projects across Northern Ireland. The final decision on the ultimate location of a company however, is always taken by the investor, based on their specific business requirements.", she added.

Mr McHugh was present along with a delegation of 100-plus senior executives from US companies feted at a reception held in Cultra where local chefs, Liz Moore (Belleisle School of Cookery) and Noel McMeel (Lough Erne Golf Resort Hotel) prepared the menu. The 'hard sell' took place in the BBC's Blackstaff Studio in Belfast at which Ministers from the NI Executive, led by Ian Paisley and personnel from Invest underlined to the visitors the attractions on offer in Northern Ireland.

However, Invest's sales pitch, according to Gerry McHugh, held out little promise for the likes of Fermanagh.

"They had a map showing where the industries are placed, and Fermanagh wasn't on that map. It showed all of those key industries brought forward by Invest NI in Belfast and Derry, and there was very little to put forward the case for Fermanagh or any of the outlying counties beyond Belfast.

"It was a totally Belfast-driven conference".

As a member of the DETI committee, Mr McHugh has direct access to agencies such as Invest NI with regard to inward investment, infrastructure, small businesses and retention of jobs.

"I did get talking to some of the visitors, for instance, representatives from Bosch and businessmen from England and Wales. One businessman from Wales had come over to see what the possibilities were and it certainly would have been an open window as far as he was concerned, and that's why I'm so angry there was very little opportunity to show what we have to offer in Fermanagh".

Delegates to the US-NI investment conference, according to the schedule, had the opportunity to travel across Northern Ireland, and tailored visits to local companies. However, it appears none of them got as far as Fermanagh.

One economist stated that potential investors would have been impressed by the overall competence and professionalism in the manner that the NI business case had been put forward.

SDLP Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly member, Tommy Gallagher said the US Investment Conference 'must bring benefits to every county in the North of Ireland'.

"The people of the north of Ireland want to see greater investment by the big US companies, and they want to see that translated into good quality job opportunities. It is essential that any investment that flows from this conference is distributed across the entire north, meaning that counties like Fermanagh and Tyrone benefit too.

"There is a feeling in the West that there is a big focus on Belfast and its hinterland in regards to job and investment opportunities. But, there are many other good places to do business in the north rather than the major city.

"Just take Fermanagh and Tyrone, for example: these are great locations for cross border trade, and our local companies are among the most successfully and prove that we have a workforce that can appeal to US investors'.

He said he had talked to some key US investors had encouraged them to consider the West when investing.

"I promoted the location and its talented workforce", he added, " and I hope that any results from this conference will benefit many people throughout the border region."

The DETI spokeswoman stated that, on the second day, the main business presentation was held in BBC Blackstaff Studios in Belfast city centre, where delegates heard from a number of existing investors from across Northern Ireland before moving to Parliament Buildings, Stormont, where the First and deputy First Ministers hosted a lunch. An evening gala dinner rounded off the day at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down.

"On the morning of Friday 9 May", she went on, " delegates were offered the opportunity of tailored visits to regional companies, Centres of Excellence or such leisure activities as golf and tours of some of Northern Ireland's landmark tourist attractions.

"The conference promoted Northern Ireland as a region in its entirety and positioned it in totality as a highly competitive, stable, ambitious location for inward investment.

"Representatives from across Northern Ireland, including Fermanagh, were invited to various elements of the conference. The Chairman of Fermanagh Council, Councillor Alex Baird attended the Welcome Reception 7 May.

"At this event, the guests sampled food from each of the six counties, including Fermanagh. Noel McMeel, the Head Chef at the Lough Erne Golf Resort, coordinated all of the menus throughout the conference. (Mr McMeel was accompanied by Liz Moore, the chef at Belleisle School of Cookery who he invited along to produce the canapés).

"On 8 May, Gerry McHugh MLA, attended both the business session and a lunch in BBC Blackstaff Studios in his role as a member of the ETI Committee. An exhibition was also on show at Blackstaff to highlight to delegates, the entire Northern Ireland business story.

"Environment Minister and local Fermanagh MP Arlene Foster also participated at the conference, hosting a table of delegates at the lunch in the Long Gallery at Stormont and also at the gala dinner at Hillsborough on Thursday 8 May.

"On average, the inward investment process for a company to establish a base here is 18 – 24 months. The conference is only the beginning of the process, however it has helped promote the whole of Northern Ireland as open for business.

"Invest NI will follow-up with the delegates in an effort to identify potential projects across Northern Ireland. The final decision on the ultimate location of a company however, is always taken by the investor, based on their specific business requirements."