BELFAST has been ranked as one of the best cities in Europe for tech firms.
The city has been placed at number nine in the inaugural ‘Tech Cities of the Future’ table, while Dublin came in at third behind London and Paris.
The ranking has been compiled by fDi Intelligence, a specialist division of the Financial Times, which regularly analyses foreign direct investment (FDI) data.
The latest table looked at 76 locations, analysing five areas: Economic potential; innovation and attractiveness; FDI performance; cost effectiveness; and start-up environment.
Belfast has experienced an influx of overseas tech firms in the past few years, drawn by lower costs and the talent pool from local universities.
It helped place the city above cities like Zurich and Frankfurt in the ranking.
The north’s fintech envoy Andrew Jenkins said the fDi ranking represented another significant endorsement of Belfast’s burgeoning tech sector.
“There are many reasons why Belfast is fast becoming a world beating tech destination and prime investment material,” he said.
“The resiliency, adaptability, and innovation at the heart of the sector here along with the talent on offer is continually noted by those global businesses who have already invested here.
“Despite the challenges posed by coronavirus, there is an energy and drive about the sector, and it is important that we harness this energy as we move forward.”
The fintech envoy also acknowledged the success of Dublin. He said it is indicative of the potential right across the island of Ireland.
“As we approach the end of the Brexit transition period, we know that cross-border cooperation will be vital into the future.
“By continuing to work together, we know that we can build on this success and nurture the skills and talent which will see us remain at the forefront of the tech sector long into the future.”
