26/06/2001

HALIFAX INVEST £45M IN BELFAST CENTRE

SECRETARY of State Dr John Reid has officially opened a new £45 million Halifax customer contact centre in Belfast.

Dr Reid officially opened the new Halifax customer contact centre with First Minister David Trimble, Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon, and Lord Stevenson, Chairman of Halifax.

Dr Reid described the centre as “the best possible demonstration to potential investors of the tremendous business opportunities that have developed in Northern Ireland since the successful restoration of devolution”.

He added: "This investment by a major financial institution, a FTSE 100 company with a turnover of £3.4 billion and over 20 million customers throughout the UK, is a huge vote of confidence in the people and the economy of Northern Ireland.

"The decision by Halifax to locate e-commerce activities here will ensure that Belfast will have a key part to play as the company rolls out its internet-based services for customers in line with its longstanding commitment to innovation."

The First Minister, meanwhile, said the investment was a visible vote of confidence in Belfast as a good location for doing business.

Mr Trimble said: "Over the next three years the number of people employed in this facility will grow to 1,500, providing a major boost to Northern Ireland’s strength in this growth sector. Last year, across all sectors, inward investors promoted 5,500 new jobs in Northern Ireland with a combined capital investment of £380 million.

“These new jobs have made a valuable contribution to the strong growth in employment – 66,000 in the last five years, which shows no sign of slackening."

(MB)

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