An existing IT business has underlined the security of existing jobs and said that more new posts are on the way.

Micro Focus said this week's announcement would create 72 new high quality software development support and software sales jobs over the next three years, generating an additional £2.25m annually in salaries.

The NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced the expansion by the IT firm in Belfast today.

Supported by Invest Northern Ireland Micro Focus UK Ltd specialises in the development of advanced enterprise software which supports a range of activities including application modernisation, software quality management, requirements management and configuration management, in thousands of companies worldwide.

Invest NI has offered Micro Focus £864,000 of support to secure the expansion for Northern Ireland.

Making the announcement, the DUP's Arlene Foster said: "As a global company, Micro Focus could have chosen to expand anywhere in the world. A combination of our talented, skilled people, Invest Northern Ireland support and the positive performance of the company's existing Belfast facility, resulted in the decision by Micro Focus to expand here.

"This investment will see Micro Focus more than double its presence here, with a total of 120 people employed at its Belfast site by 2014.

"The 72 new software development and sales roles are a boost for our ICT sector and the local economy as they are high quality positions which will pay above the NI private sector average."

Arlene Foster concluded: "As Enterprise Minister, this is exactly the type of investment that I will continue to work hard to secure so both our economy and local people can benefit," she said, noting that, in 2009, Micro Focus UK Ltd acquired Borland Software which had a software development base in Belfast employing 48 people.

Paul Rodgers, Group HR Director, Micro Focus said: "We have been continually impressed with the performance of the Belfast operation as well as the support of Invest NI.

"At Micro Focus we pride ourselves on developing and supporting the most advanced enterprise software options available globally. We are confident that the skills available combined with a location which is close to many of our key European markets will play a key role in our future growth."

(BMcC/GK)