A £92m deal awarded to global IT firm CGI by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) will create 200 jobs in the region.
The deal brings in a major inward investment for the region and will inject more than £100m into the Scottish Borders’ economy.
As part of the deal, CGI will set up a Scottish Centre of Excellence in the region, in order to meet the requirements of its growing client base.
The 13-year contract to CGI will give the authority a state-of-the-art technology to offer better customer services and to streamline the systems.
Besides, the deal will see 49 employees in the council’s information and communications technology (ICT) division staying in the region.
There had been concerns over the council’s ICT department moving its staff to an outside company, as part of its outsourcing plans, BBC reported.
Scottish Borders Council Leader David Parker said: "This is a landmark deal for the Scottish Borders as we join forces with one of the leading IT companies in the world to offer a once in a generation transformational opportunity for the region.
"For CGI to choose the Scottish Borders to base their second UK Service Centre is a genuinely exciting opportunity. Not only does it mean our existing ICT staff will remain in the Borders, but it will also bring a wide range of benefits and opportunities."
"We have always maintained our ambition for a growing and prosperous economy here in the Borders, especially on the back of the Borders Railway opening and I am confident this contract is just the start.
"We believe that the Borders Railway, combined with the community benefit proposals from CGI, will all contribute towards making the Scottish Borders a desirable 21st century business location."
CGI will unbundle six telephone exchanges in the region, offering new high-speed broadband initiatives for schools, businesses and the local community.
The company will implement a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for the council, replacing its existing finance and HR systems.
CGI will create a digital platform for the council, simplifying the way the residents interact and receive feedback from it.
CGI UK president Tim Gregory said: "We are delighted to partner with Scottish Borders Council to enable simpler and more accessible digital services for citizens.
"As part of our commitment to delivering on our plans we will be creating an ICT delivery centre of excellence in the region which will mean up to 200 new, high-value jobs for the area including digital, cyber security and Modern Apprentice roles.
"CGI is committed to working with a diverse range of partners to help bring flexible, cost-effective digital solutions to local and central government across the UK."
