Silicon Valley jobs for Belfast

Up to 80 jobs will be created by the establishment of a new global research and development centre in Belfast, it was announced today.

California-based utility storage provider 3PAR is investing more than €12.9m in the move, which has been backed by the authorities in the North.

Stormont Economy Minister Nigel Dodds said the the Silicon Valley company’s arrival was another sign of strengthening transatlantic links.

He said: “It is a tremendous achievement to secure the presence of a strategic R&D centre by such a prestigious firm in the enterprise data storage market.

“This is further evidence of the continuing successful business relationships between the US and Northern Ireland.”

Job creation agency Invest NI is offering €1.7m support to the project, which involves creating as many as 80 high-value software development positions.

If objectives are achieved, 3PAR could deliver up to €10.8m in salaries by 2010, it was claimed.

Mr Dodds stressed that Invest NI has been actively targeting hi-tech companies as part of its inward investment strategy.

He added: “3PAR has realised the potential of Northern Ireland’s highly skilled workforce and the value of this European location can add to its global expansion.

“Talented local people will benefit from the variety of high-quality career opportunities offered by 3PAR in Belfast, and will have an opportunity to share and develop those skills as they work closely with their R&D colleagues in the US.”

David Scott, 3PAR’s president and chief executive, said the move to Northern Ireland was the best option available.

“The availability of skilled graduates and experienced software engineers, coupled with the Invest NI partnership, were key factors in our decision to locate our new R&D centre in Belfast,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be able to position critical engineering resources closer to our European customers.”