THE west Belfast enterprise agency Ortus has announced the first inward investment by an American company since the breakdown of the IRA ceasefire. Fourteen jobs are to be created at the Twin Spires complex on the Falls Road following a deal with the Pennsylvania based firm, Electronic Health Care Systems.

Ortus chief executive Mr P.J.McLaughlin said the deal was made following a meeting between the company's representatives' and Belfast Sinn Fein councillor Mr Martin O Muilleoir.

The agency's new chairman, Prof Ken O'Neill, said that it would continue to concentrate on property development, training and business development, and its business loan fund.

"On the property development side", he said, "the expectation is that we will continue to build new premises. At present we are looking to develop property at attractive rates to allow existing businesses to expand, and to create new ones."