Visiting New York for the first time as first minister, Alex Salmond has said that the ties between Scotland and the US "are both historical and strong".

The Scottish National Party leader met with big businesses, visited the Stock Exchange and used a series of interviews to encourage companies to invest in Scotland.

Describing it as a visit "very much about business," Salmond said he wanted Scotland's "current high profile to become an economic advantage".

The first minister said the US was Scotland's "most important market", adding that "North America is hugely important to Scotland".

He said: "The ties between our two nations are both historical and strong. There is an affinity between our people. I want to take this to a new level in the coming years."

Salmond pledged to use his position of first minister to "make more of an impact overseas and especially in America".

"I really believe that we are pushing at an open door in America and I am here to give it an almighty shove," he said.