There was good news for Co Cork today as the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe welcomed an announcement that business process outsouring firm VoxPro in Cork is to create 160 new jobs before the end of the year.

Minister O'Keeffe said the jobs, which will mainly be multi-lingual graduate positions, will more than double the firm's workforce.

VoxPro specialises in customer service, technical support, appointment management, back office processing and telemarketing for client companies globally.

"This is the second major jobs announcement for Cork in the same week," he said.

"The jobs come after I announced 300 high-value jobs for Abtran earlier this week which will be created over the next three years as part of a €3.5 million investment in research and development.

"VoxPro is the kind of export-led innovation-intensive company that is well-aligned with the Government's plan for the 'smart' economy.

"The company's expansion has enabled the creation of these new jobs for local graduates - an important signal that as a country we are now on the path to economic recovery.

"Significantly, Enterprise Ireland has worked with VoxPro over the years to internationalise its business and that has now resulted in the company securing a number of leading international customers in export markets," he said, noting that he would support the company in whatever way he could in its ongoing development.

"As Minister, I will soon be setting out my clear strategic objectives and targets so that society and the business community can have confidence that we have a plan for jobs that is achievable and timelined," said Minister O’Keeffe.

As well as the new jobs in Abtran already revealed, some 40 jobs are also being created in Brywest Enterprises - the parent company of several website portals.

The remaining 12 are in a local business called The Bakery.

Speaking in Mullingar last week, Minister O'Keeffe had described the new jobs "as an important signal of confidence and labour market activity in Mullingar".

The 40 new jobs are as a result of Brywest's latest venture - farmersforum.ie - which is a resource for the farming community.

Speaking last week the Minister said: "I am particularly pleased to see Fás working with industry to offer tailored training courses to match specific company requirements.

"This targeted and thought-out public-private relationship will continue to play an important role in our economic recovery.

"Fifteen people will begin work in farmersforum.ie as a direct result of this partnership," said Minister O'Keeffe.

Minister O'Keeffe also pointed out that 12 jobs are to be created in The Bakery - another growing enterprise on Dominick Street in the town.

(BMcC/GK)