A US software development firm is to create 40 jobs in Northern Ireland.

Massachusetts-based Safety NetAccess is to set up a development and sales support centre to support its growth in the US and Europe.

The company designs, builds and supports wireless networks and technology solutions for hotels, resorts, apartments, and other public properties.

Vice president of software development Resham Patel said: "We are ambitious for the future, and this new software development and sales support centre will help us realise these ambitions.

"The NI team will initially focus on software development to ensure we remain competitive in our key telecoms market.

"Longer-term, we plan to expand our markets and will look to recruit team members including developers, sales engineers and salespersons within the Belfast centre to develop the UK/Europe markets for us.

"We considered several alternative locations to establish this new centre, including the US, India and the Republic of Ireland.

"However, through our meetings with other investors, the universities, and the information provided by Invest Northern Ireland, we are confident we will have access to both the skilled workforce and future graduates we need right here."

The Northern Ireland jobs will initially be home-based, but the company intends to set up an office later.

Stormont business support agency Invest Northern Ireland has offered £270,000 in support of the investment.

Invest NI chief executive Kevin Holland said: "We hosted a week-long visit to Northern Ireland for the company, just before the Covid pandemic.

"The introductions to existing investors, universities, colleges, industry contacts and recruiters gave the company essential insight into the sector, the quality of our workforce and the pipeline of future graduates."

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