The biggest hi-tech investment in Northern Ireland in five years was announced this morning.
US software company Allen Systems Group is creating 168 jobs over the next three years by establishing a development centre at Lanyon Place, Belfast.
The decision by the Florida-based company to open the £3.6 million sterling centre is seen as a further sign of returning confidence in the sector.
The jobs will generate salaries worth more than £3.7 million a year for the local economy. The company said it was beginning recruitment immediately with software development scheduled to begin in January.
ASG president Mr Arthur Allen said the company had evaluated locations around the world, including China, Russia and India, but had settled on Northern Ireland because of the "abundant availability of high quality graduates" in the disciplines they needed.
Mr Allen said: "We were attracted to the Northern Ireland location because of the efficient accessibility and open door approach to industry by the centres of excellence in software, informatics and electronics at Queen's University andthe University of Ulster.
"Since R&D is an essential feature of our business model, we intend to develop close relationships with both universities to facilitate fruitful and productive two-way technology transfer benefits," he added.
The company has more than 900 staff in 45 offices worldwide and annual revenues or around £100 million.
PA