More than 150 jobs are to be created in Co Antrim as part of a major expansion by a leading Canadian communications firm.
C-MAC Network Systems plans to site a new purpose-built £14m sterling plant in Carrickfergus.
The electronics solutions company has been backed with £1.15m in Industrial Development Board funding as it seeks to have the new facility fully operational by November 2001.
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey said C-MAC NS's plans to provide employment for an extra 154 people would provide a major boost to the province's economy.
"Given that the company has been based here for just 15 months, this investment represents a significant expression of confidence in Northern Ireland by a major player in the telecommunications contract manufacturing sector," he said.
C-MAC NS has been involved in Northern Ireland since acquiring the Nortel Network's electromechanical assembly operations at Newtownabbey in September 1999.
Mr Rick Rollins, C-MAC NS's president, said the expansion to Carrickfergus would enable the company to attract new blue chip telecommunications customers.
The company's aim, he added, was to become the leading electronic manufacturing solutions company in Europe.
"Our experience here since 1999, particularly in terms of the quality and motivation of people we have recruited, enabled us to put a very strong case to our main group board that Northern Ireland is the right place to be for fast growth in Europe."
C-MAC NS currently employs 179 people in Northern Ireland.