Support of Government creates 383 jobs

The New Zealand arm of international IT services giant EDS has exceeded the target of adding 360 new jobs set when it received $1.5 million in Government funding two years ago to pursue overseas work.

EDS received the money to support its March 2003 bid to become a centre for IT work outsourced from US companies to cheaper economies.

The company's New Zealand managing director, Rick Ellis, said the Government's "visible support" was a key factor in the success of its bid.

EDS had "fully met its commitment" to add at least 360 jobs under the programme by March this year, he said.

In fact, it had added 383 to date.

In under two years the programme had generated more than $40 million in foreign exchange earnings by serving more than 20 international clients, mainly in the United States, Australia and Britain, providing a technical helpdesk, contact centre and software engineering services.

"I think we've demonstrated that New Zealand can compete successfully in the international market and that we can attract a high level of talent to our company and to our country," said Ellis.

Minister of Economic Development Trevor Mallard said the success of the grant in supporting the Best Shores project showed the Government could enter into partnerships with international companies "to create jobs in New Zealand that wouldn't have otherwise occurred, and that ICT can be a very good springboard for economic growth".

"The Government is certainly open to partnership arrangements with international and New Zealand companies where we can get a lift in the quality of jobs especially."