HCL to create more jobs: Blair

NOIDA: HCL, the $2.5 bn (£1.4 bn/INR 11, 000 cr.) global IT and technology giant today said that it will create 600 jobs in a major expansion of its Armagh and Belfast contact centre operations.

The British prime minister, Tony Blair, made the announcement during the launch of the 2006 UK Trade and Investment India Business Awards in New Delhi.

The prime minister referred to a number of positive developments involving economic links, between India and the UK, and highlighted the strategic importance of the UK for Asian companies seeking a springboard for developing business within the enlarged European Union.

The secretary of state in Northern Ireland, UK, Peter Hain welcomed prime minister Tony Blair's confirmation of HCL's investment: "It's a credit to the quality of our workforce that Northern Ireland continues to be an attractive location for outsourced services, in the face of stiff competition from lower waged economies. This expansion, supported by Invest Northern Ireland, will create at least 400 new jobs in Armagh with the balance at Armagh or Belfast depending on operational requirements."

HCL Technologies said in a statement that it employs approximately 2350 employees in the UK, 2000 of which are UK nationals. This makes HCL the largest Indian IT employer in the UK of local staff and among the top 10 private sector employers in NI. HCL's operations in the UK are led by its landmark BPO operations in NI (UK) at Belfast and Armagh.

HCL currently employs around 2000 local staff at these two locations with approximately 1750 based in Belfast and 250 in Armagh. The company will create 600 additional jobs in the country to take their manpower strength to almost 3000 in the next one-year.

HCL, as part of its global expansion strategy will continue to invest in the UK leveraging its advantages as competitive location for its global delivery centers, and, its strategic location as the gateway to Europe.