THE Irish educational software maker, CBT, has acquired a smaller Australian rival in a deal worth £6 million, writes Sean Mac Carthaigh. The Clonskeagh based company said it had agreed to take over Applied Learning Limited, which distributes educational software in Australia and New Zealand.

According to CBT, which is listed on the NASDAQ, the firms have entered into an implementation deed, which will see CBT become owner of all issued ALA shares in exchange for shares in the Irish firm worth $10 million (£5.96 million). The deal is subject to, the approval of the Australian courts and a 75 per cent majority of ALA shareholders.

Last month, CBT opened a new worldwide development centre in Dublin and promised to hire 200 extra employees over the coming two years. The firm, makes, interactive educational software and has strategic alliances with most of the world's biggest software makers.