Upwards of 100 jobs are to be created in Cork city by Japanese computer software company Trend Micro.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin announced the jobs creation at the official opening of the Trend Micro Operations Centre at Model Farm Road in Bishopstown, Cork yesterday afternoon.

The multinational company, which develops secure content and threat management software, is set to double its Irish workforce to 216 people over the next 18 months. The development of the Cork centre will facilitate Trend Micro's growing business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Speaking at the IDA Business Park in Bishopstown yesterday, Minister Martin said he was delighted at Trend Micro's decision to expand its Cork operation.

"The company has rapidly developed since its arrival here in 2003 and we are delighted that the Irish-based operation is playing such an important role in a truly global company. The company's ability to secure additional high-tech, knowledge-dependent activities from its parent company is indicative of the depth, quality and expertise of the Irish workforce.

"This is the second investment in information technology for Cork in one week and shows the continued growth and strength of the IT industry in Ireland."

Meanwhile, Anthony O'Mara, vice president of sales and operations at Trend Micro, said the company chose Cork for its headquarters because of the area's access to a highly educated, multilingual workforce.

"It would be an understatement to say that we are absolutely delighted with our choice to locate here in Cork. This expansion and highly strategic nature of many of the activities involved will substantially enhance the importance of the Cork centre in Trend's global business into the future."

Trend Micro was established in 1988 shortly after computer viruses were first detected and has been headquartered in Tokyo since 1996.

It has operations in more than 30 countries.