Fujitsu expected to create 400 Derry jobs

IT giant Fujitsu is to create more than 400 jobs in the North, it has been announced.

The company will make an £18m (€26.5m) investment in the north-west region.

Its plans involve establishing a managed IT Services Centre of Excellence at Derry's Timber Quay.

The new facility, accounting for 328 jobs, will deliver managed IT services into Fujitsu's growing European customer base.

Further expansion is to take place at the company's existing base in Belfast. That is expected to lead to another 74 jobs.

Jobs creation body Invest Northern Ireland is providing £5.65m (€8.3m) support for the project, which is expected to plough more than £24m (€35.4) into the local economy over the first three years.

Stormont Economy Minister Nigel Dodds said: "Fujitsu is a major global company and its decision to establish a new Managed IT Services Centre in the North West represents a major economic boost to the area.

"Complemented by an expansion at its existing Belfast location, this landmark project, supported by Invest NI, demonstrates the strength and skill of the talent pool across Northern Ireland and reinforces how local skills can be a key factor in securing and retaining high-quality international investment."

David Courtley, Chief Executive of Fujitsu Services, described it as a significant step for Fujitsu and the North, building on more than 30 years of working and investing in the area.

"Derry has an advanced local infrastructure, the availability of an IT-focused labour market and a very close proximity to the UK/European marketplace, which made it an ideal choice," he said.