Belfast  - A leading US company specializing in the handling of internet payments Wednesday announced the planned opening of a research and development centre in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.

The pledge by CyberSource came on the opening day of a major business conference designed to attract investment to Northern Ireland.

The firm said it planned to recruit 56 software development professionals, at graduate level, for its new operation.

CyberSource chairman Bill McKiernan said Belfast won out against potential sites in China, India and Russia.

"The talents we can obtain in Northern Ireland are unmatched," he said.