US financial services company Cowen International is to construct a technology centre in Belfast, which will create up to 50 high paying jobs.

Financial services and ICT sectors have been identified by development agencies as being important drivers for economic growth.

Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland's enterprise minister, said: “Subject to satisfactory growth and development, the project could create up to 50 jobs, which will pay salaries more than double the private sector average and will contribute more than £2m a year to the economy”.