The US Premiere Conferencing group is to establish its European headquarters at Clonakilty, Co Cork, with a jobs target of 160 people by the end of 2005.

The company, which employs more than 800 worldwide, has its headquarters in Kansas and Colorado and provides automated conference calling to more than 49,000 customers.

The new project was announced yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Mr Walsh, who represents that constituency.

Its Cork-based European headquarters will comprise several departments, including a customer care centre for reservations and customers support, software development, technical support and marketing and finance. Its clients include Hewlett-Packard, Merrill Lynch, Johnson & Johnson, American Express, Merck, Wyeth Labs and Symantec.

Ms Michele Hayden, managing director Europe for Premiere Conferencing said the strong telecommunications infrastructure and support from IDA Ireland were among the factors which helped it to chose the West Cork Business & Technology Park at Clonaklity.

"The conferencing market is growing rapidly and we appreciate the support the IDA has given us to quickly establish this new facility and look forward to further expanding our European presence," she said.

The Minister said the business park, which was developed by local entrepreneur Mr John Fleming was an excellent example of a joint public/private partnership development that could be marketed internationally by IDA Ireland.

Premiere Conferencing is the second IDA Ireland-supported company to establish a business at the Clonakilty park. In July 1999, Canadian company, Rand Worldwide, set up a software centre there for the development and customisation of software products for the European market. It currently employs 13 people.