Finance giant brings jobs boost to Belfast
International financial giant Citigroup announced today it was creating nearly 200 jobs in Belfast.
They will be at its new technology centre of excellence in the Northern Ireland Science Park.
The 185 new jobs will boost the banking group workforce in Belfast to 560.
The jobs were announced by Robert Druskin, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking chief, as he and Northern Secretary Peter Hain formally opened the company’s new premises at White Star House at the science park on what used to be part of Harland and Wolff Shipyard.
He said: “Our Belfast centre has delivered significant benefits to our global operations, enhancing competitiveness and enabling us to tap into the advanced technology and knowledge skills base, which continues to grow in Northern Ireland.”
He said with the rapid development of the Belfast operation the company was now in a position to strengthen its presence with a second major investment.
“We are confident that through our renewed commitment to this region we will continue to add value both to Citigroup and the Northern Ireland economy.”
The investment will contribute a further £21m (€31.3m) to the local economy, according to the British government, which offered £3.6m (€5.4m) financial assistance through its economic development agency Invest NI.
Mr Hain welcomed the announcement and said Citigroup’s commitment to the North was clearly evident through its initial investment and the subsequent expansion.
Citigroup was the first global banking corporation to make such in investment in the North, he said.
“In 2004 Citigroup announced that it planned to create 375 jobs in Belfast contributing £65m (€96.8m) to the economy.
"This new investment will strengthen Citigroup’s presence in Northern Ireland, providing high-quality, sustainable career opportunities and further enhance and build Northern Ireland’s reputation as a world-class centre for financial services companies.”
The Northern Secretary said it was an important sector for the future growth of the local economy and the latest investment would undoubtedly increase the region’s competitiveness, and grow and deepen the local skills base.
He said it would be “a huge flagship to attract similar financial services investment”.
