AROUND 30 jobs are to be created in Newport as a result of substantial investment from an Israeli company.

The announcement, which was made today, will bring 30 research and development jobs to Newport-based manufacturer SPTS Technologies and see £13 million invested in local suppliers.

It comes as a result of a trade mission by a delegation of Israeli businesses, which coincided with yesterday’s Euro 2016 qualifier between the two nations.

Since August 2014, SPTS, who specialise in semiconductor equipment, has been owned by NASDAQ-listed Israeli company Orbotech.

The company was awarded £4.6m Research Development and Innovation funding by the Welsh Government last year for a three-year project to develop the next generation of products for advanced packaging applications.

Welcoming the announcement, Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb said: "Through the UK Government's global trade network, international investors can see that Wales is an outward-looking nation and an attractive destination for business.

“Israel is a close friend of the UK and we enjoy an excellent trade relationship, built on decades of co-operation.

"I want today's announcements to be a catalyst for Wales to forge closer links with global markets and companies.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to show that we are open for business, open for trade, and open for investment."

Welsh Government Economy Minister Edwina Hart added: “I am delighted that Wales is proving to be such an attractive location for advanced technology companies from Israel and that we are seeing new investment as well as significant on-going reinvestment.

“It is a strong endorsement that Wales provides the optimum environment for businesses to flourish and grow which is reinforced by the record number of inward investment projects from overseas companies that are choosing Wales above any other country as their location of choice.

“The visit by senior executives from leading Israeli companies is most welcome as they explore new business opportunities in Wales and build on the growing links between our two countries.”