A growing high-tech sector helped generate £1.8 billion sterling (#2.97 billion) for the Northern Ireland economy last year, writes Francess McDonnell. But tough times may lie ahead, industry leaders have warned. Although the North's information communications technology sector (ICT) could grow by an extra £40 million this year, Momentum, the Northern Ireland ICT Federation, warns in its annual report that it may not be immune to global trends.

Momentum's latest industry research shows the sector could expand by a further £140 million by 2002. It also highlights that more than 40 per cent of jobs in the sector have been created by Northern Ireland firms.