Belfast-based GEM, (Global Email Company), will today double its workforce when it takes on 110 new employees despite signs that the global high-tech slowdown could cost further jobs in the North.

The Northern Ireland e-mail company, which was founded two years ago by Mr Owen Lamont, the former chief executive of NTL in Ireland, said it was managing to grow its business despite the current difficult economic climate.

According to the North's Industrial Development Board, the number of visits from potential high-tech inward investors has dropped sharply this year.

The job creation agency said the fall-off reflected the recent downturn in the technology and telecoms sector worldwide and was mirrored across the United Kingdom.

"This could impact adversely on investment projects although it would be difficult to determine on what scale at this moment in time," an IDB spokesman said.

"This may mean that some planned investment in Northern Ireland might have to be postponed but we would remain hopeful that with the advantages Northern Ireland offers to an investor we will see it return," he added.

GEM recently won a major contract from the online retail giant Amazon in a deal which saw the American group take equity in the Belfast firm.

GEM raised more than £7 million sterling (€11.16 million) of private finance to fund the company when it was established.