1,000 Jobs Created By US Stream

1,000 jobs are to be created in Belfast following a £3.3m investment in US business process outsourcing (BPO) company Stream.

The firm has established a new contact centre at Airport Road West as part of its growth plans.

Recruitment began last year at a temporary facility, with approval from Invest NI, allowing the company to meet customer demand and ensure the project was secured.

The project is expected to deliver £14m annually in additional salaries.

First Minister Peter Robinson said: "I welcome this £3.3million investment which will secure almost 1,000 jobs in Northern Ireland and make a significant contribution to our local economy. To have so many of these jobs already in place at this new facility is fantastic news for us. While several alternative global locations were considered by the company, the requirements of its customers combined with Northern Ireland’s attractive business environment resulted in Stream locating this new centre in East Belfast.

"This expansion by Stream is positive news ahead of our forthcoming Investment Conference where we expect to welcome over 100 potential investors to Northern Ireland. We are growing as an attractive place for foreign direct investment and Stream’s location here is further proof of our global appeal.”

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness added: "Our Business Services sector is a key driver of economic growth and securing this major investment over competitors in other regions is an important win.

"Stream’s investment here underlines our ability to meet the business needs of global companies. Its expansion is positive news for our economy and creates much needed jobs that offer flexible employment and the opportunity to develop transferrable skills. The jobs at this centre will benefit the whole economy through the generation of £14m per annum in additional salaries. Once recruitment has completed Stream expects to employ more than 1,700 people here.

Invest NI and the Department for Employment and Learning have offered a total of £3.3m support to secure the project.

Invest NI has offered £2.8m of support through its Jobs Fund and the Department for Employment and Learning offered over £496,500 of training support under its Assured Skills programme to Stream.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "Thanks to Invest NI’s flexible approach we were able to ensure that the company’s investment plans could proceed quickly and that the jobs could benefit local people as soon as possible. Over half the jobs are already in place which highlights the demand and appeal for such employment opportunities offered by an internationally renowned company."

Stream Chairman and CEO Kathy Marinello said: "Establishing this new centre is a very exciting development for our business in Northern Ireland and Europe. Invest NI has assisted us in bringing these plans to fruition. A number of locations were considered for this project, however Northern Ireland best met our needs."

(IT/MH)