The Japanese-owned firm today unveiled an £8.8 million investment package which will see 120 "high quality" posts come to Derry with 30 jobs going to Belfast.

Fujitsu opened its 'Managed IT Services Centre of Excellence' at Timber Quay last year, creating 328 jobs.

The company's Derry base provides IT support to its european clients.
Announcing the investment, Minister Nigel Dodds said: "I'm pleased that a global brand of Fujitsu's standing has decided to reinvest further in Northern Ireland. The company considered several locations for this new centre of excellence but chose Northern Ireland because of the positive impact their existing operation here has on the company's global competitiveness.

"They have attributed their success to our advanced telecommunications infrastructure, the highly qualified workforce, cost competitive location and the support offered by Invest NI.

"Northern Ireland has developed a reputation as an excellent location for inward investors looking to expand into Europe. As a result of this reputation we have attracted a string of blue chip companies in recent years. The success of the recent US-NI Investment Conference highlights the genuine interest overseas investors have in taking advantage of the business opportunities on offer in Northern Ireland."

Minister Dodds said that the jobs announcement would provide a major boost to the North West's economy.

"This investment, which will contribute £4million per annum in salaries to the economy, is a major boost for the North West in particular as 120 of the jobs will be based at Fujitsu's Londonderry operation at Timber Quay."

With over £2.2million of support from Invest Northern Ireland, the company will establish an Applications Services Centre of Excellence, reinforcing its Northern Ireland operation as a key component of its European network.

Mike Crow, head of application services (Northern Ireland), Fujitsu Services, said that the announcement proved Fujitsu's commitment to the North West.

"This investment reflects Fujitsu's confidence in its Northern Ireland operations and in the region's ability to deliver the skills and the work ethic that has made our experience here so positive, he said.
"This new centre of excellence will play an important role in rolling out our strategy of developing innovative delivery channels based on a global delivery model."