First Minister Mr Peter Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA have officially opened Allen & Overy LLP's Support and Legal Services Centre in Donegall Quay, Belfast.

Allen & Overy is one of the world's largest international law firms, and earlier this year its plans to create 317 new jobs with support from Invest Northern Ireland were announced. Allen & Overy's Belfast office will carry out a range of functions to support the global business including finance, IT, business services, human resources, marketing and legal services.

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Officially opening the centre Mr Robinson said: "This new centre, which will grow to become Allen & Overy's fourth largest operation worldwide, is a ringing endorsement of Northern Ireland as a location for high quality investment. It will undoubtedly strengthen our ability to attract further inward investment in the legal services sector, which is recognised as important in promoting economic growth."

At the opening, the ministers met the 100th employee to be recruited by Allen & Overy in Northern Ireland since the announcement in February 2011.

Wim Dejonghe, Managing Partner, Allen & Overy, said: "We are very pleased with the calibre of staff we have been able to recruit to date and with our 100th employee already in place, we are confident that our Belfast office will play a significant role in the future development of Allen & Overy."

(CD)