C&W invests £50M in Ireland

Cable & Wireless (C&W) has invested £50m in Ireland, creating 300 jobs in Dublin and Shannon.

The telecoms equipment provider is making the move just as the Irish telecoms market approaches its December liberalisation.

In Shannon, C&W will set up a Global Businesses division which will provide administration, back office and customer services for its own operations and its global customers. The Dublin investment will go towards the creation C&W Services - a new Irish based company.

C&W expects there to be a considerable demand for its services in from the local economy. Tony Scott, director and manager of Cable & Wireless Global Businesses, said: "We are aiming to sell services to local businesses first. When the market is developed we will expand focus towards outside investors keen to take advantage of a growing economy."

Scott said the conditions in Ireland had been perfect for investment. "All the cost and favouribility of service factors - such as skills, overheads, incentives - are better in Ireland and swayed our decision to locate here," he said.

Scott was unable to disclose further plans for C&W investment in Europe but added: "We're constantly looking for good investment propositions."