19/10/2009

US-Backed Jobs Boost Announced

There's good news on the way for Northern Ireland which is to receive major US investment creating hundreds of jobs.

Details of the high-profile project were unveiled this morning - with the dramatic move being seen as a vote of confidence in the peace process despite the delays in devolving policing and justice powers to the Stormont Assembly.

The announcement comes only days after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met politicians in Belfast for talks.

Today, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Chief Executive Duncan Niederauer announced his plans in Belfast alongside Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Ministers.

He said the skills base of the region's workforce, and the personal relationship struck up with Stormont leaders led to the investment.

He also said that recruitment for the posts will take place over the next two years with the mainly technical jobs, based in Belfast city centre.

The NYSE bought a Belfast software company called Wombat 18 months ago and Invest NI have been talking to them ever since about expanding and will now provide up to £9.6m to support the project.

The total of 400 jobs include 75 of which have previously been announced.

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson welcomed the plans: "Today's announcement that NYSE Euronext intends to expand its operations and staff in Belfast is yet another positive step forward by Invest NI in the growth of our local financial services sector, particularly at a time when global competition for such investment has never been higher.

"NYSE Technologies is an enterprise which works at the very core of the trading world, developing advanced software solutions for global trading markets."

(BMcC/KMcA)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

04 October 2013
Shankill To Benefit From Council Funding
Older people from the Shankill area of Belfast are to benefit from a cash boost via the City Council's £5m Local Investment Fund. West Belfast Orange Hall has been awarded £50,000 to begin renovation works to improve accessibility within the building.
09 December 2013
Community Projects Receive £1.1m
A total of 16 community groups across Belfast have received total funding of just over £1.1m from City Council. The funding boost is being delivered through the £5m Local Investment Fund (LIF), which is part of the council's wider Investment Programme for the city. The move brings the overall amount allocated through the fund to over £2.
16 May 2013
£1.25m For Belfast Community Projects
20 community regeneration projects across Belfast have received funding totalling £1.25m from the City Council. The funding is part of £5m set aside for the Local Investment Fund (LIF). Just under £1.3m is earmarked each to the North, South, East and West of the city and a further £490,000 allocated for the Shankill area.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
06 May 2022
Belfast Harbour Announce Programme Of Anniversary Events
Belfast Harbour has launched a programme of celebratory events to mark the landmark 175th anniversary year of Belfast Harbour Commissioners.