A German computer software company is investing almost �500,000 in a development facility in Londonderry.

InVision Software said it had decided to locate in Derry because it was impressed with the quality of IT graduates available in the city.

The company, which employs 60 people at its headquarters near Dusseldorf, said the expansion in Derry would create 30 additional jobs.

Announcing the investment, Industrial Development Board chief executive Leslie Ross said InVision was a young, vibrant company which had quickly established itself as a leading supplier of software for call centres.

Young talent

Mr Ross added that the company's decision to come to Northern Ireland, was a direct result of an IDB marketing campaign in a number of European cities earlier this year.

"During that campaign I was able to talk to InVision about the benefits of investing here. To see them in Derry now is great news."

InVision's chief technical officer, Matthias Schroer, said he was looking forward to working in partnership with the young talent that existed in Derry.

"Our facility here will play a major part in developing our product range," he said.

"We have been impressed with quality of the graduates available in Derry and have already recruited our initial development team which will play an integral part in maintaining and building our position in the global market."

The IDB has given InVision a grant of �165,000 towards the cost of the investment.