THIRTY new companies will start trading at Dublin's International Financial Services Centre, with commitments to provide 440 jobs.

The companies, which include Abbey National, Midland Bank and one of Belgium's biggest banks, ASLK, have received approval to operate from the centre. They will bring, the total number of IFSC companies to more than 400.

Announcing the new companies yesterday, the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton said the Government would continue to assist international companies to do business from Ireland.

The biggest of the new projects attracted by IDA Ireland is Abbey National, which will employ more than 100 people in fund management.

The AIG insurance group is to establish a software centre, with up to 85 jobs, over the next three years. A number of futures brokers, who will operate from the FINEX exchange, have also been approved.

Meanwhile Dutch bank ABN AMRO, which owns Riada Stockbrokers, is next week to sign an agreement to take almost a quarter of the IFSC's Custom House Plaza Block on Sheriff Street. It will move, its banking and stockbroking business to the former Post Office sorting office early next year.

It will put its main office in St Stephen's Green and Riada's building at College Green on the market.