Belfast gains 200 IT jobs

A leading global IT and telecoms firm has announced a multi-million pound investment that will create 200 jobs in Belfast.

The investment by Tech Mahindra, which is being supported by Invest Northern Ireland, will see the creation of a centre of excellence for business service delivery and solution design, which will provide end-to-end business service delivery to customers primarily in the European and US markets.

The investment is expected to generate approximately £21 million in wages and salaries over the first three years through the creation of over 200 high-quality jobs. Invest NI said that the latest investment would take the number of jobs in this market sector to around 2,500.

President of Strategic Initiatives at Tech Mahindra Sanjay Kalra said: "Global telecom and financial markets are well developed ecosystems. Tech Mahindra, as a leading IT services and solutions provider to the telecom industry, has clients and partners worldwide.

"Our growth requires high class talent with the right attitude and a good work ethic. Belfast has this refreshing attitude and the spirit of innovation in abundance. Our Belfast centre will play a pivotal role in servicing and growing our client base in Europe and North America."

Hanif Lalani, Group Finance Director, BT Group, which has a stake in the firm, said: "I am delighted that Tech Mahindra has decided to set up in Belfast. It is a coup for Northern Ireland that they took the decision to locate here as a result of the strong recommendation and experience of BT. Winning such a globally respected operation can only raise the perception of Northern Ireland as a good place in which to do business and act as a testimonial to Invest Northern Ireland's efforts."

Leslie Morrison, Chief Executive of Invest NI, added: "This is another landmark investment, the fourth by an Indian Technology company in Northern Ireland, and one which is a tremendous endorsement of Northern Ireland as a world-class location for telecommunications companies.

"This project will bring to over 2,500 the number of people employed by Indian companies in Northern Ireland. Tech Mahindra is a welcome addition to Northern Ireland’s expanding cluster of global software-development companies that have found this region to be an excellent position from which to target the European and US markets. The company will benefit from a ready supply of local telecoms expertise and in turn will introduce new specialist skills that will further enhance the marketability of our workforce.”

Invest NI has identified information and communication technology as an important sector for the Northern Ireland economy and has successfully attracted several major overseas investments in recent years. Invest NI has offered assistance of £2.2 million towards total project costs.

Tech Mahindra is a global systems integrator and business transformation firm focused on the communications industry.

For over two decades, Tech Mahindra has been the chosen partner for wireline, wireless and broadband operators for systems, operations, process, network and cost transformation.

These include telecom operators, equipment manufacturers and independent software vendors.

With total revenues of GBP 348 million in the year ending March 31, 2007, Tech Mahindra`s unique insights, differentiated services and flexible partnering models enable their clients to reduce operating costs and generate new revenue streams for sustainable competitive advantage.

Tech Mahindra has principal offices in the UK, United States, Germany, UAE, Egypt, Singapore, India, Thailand, Taiwan & Australia – including major development facilities in India and the UK.

For more information visit www.techmahindra.com

(SP/KMcA)