Nevada tele.com, the joint venture between Viridian and Energis, is to invest £5.1 million sterling (€8.2 million) and create 131 jobs in Northern Ireland over the next four years, the company said yesterday.

The Belfast-based firm will use the investment to develop e-commerce solutions for business and public sector customers in the Republic and other target export markets. This latest investment announcement comes only two days after the firm announced it had tabled an offer to acquire the Dublin-based telecoms company Stentor for £36 million (€45.7 million).

Ms Irene Cackett, managing director of Nevada tele.com, said the company aimed to accelerate its growth strategy by creating a world-class development centre which offered customers expert skills in e-commerce, web design, Internet security and network integration.

Some 34 jobs are already in place at the company's Belfast headquarters in the Gasworks Business Park. The Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board has agreed to offer grant aid of almost £1 million sterling towards the cost of the investment.