Information and communications technology (ICT) solutions firm Huawei has announced it will increase its UK workforce from 800 to 1,500 by 2017 as it spends $2bn (£1.25bn) in the country over the next five years.

This $2bn is split between investment in operations and procurement. The investment includes the development of a number of global centres of technical and financial excellence in the UK.

Huawei works with all the major telecommunications and broadband operators in the UK.

Prime Minister David Cameron comments: "The investment announced by Huawei today demonstrates once again that the UK is open for business. I welcome this and I want to see more companies invest in the UK as we work to achieve sustainable and balanced growth within our economy."

Huawei founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei adds: "The UK is one of the most important European markets in which Huawei has invested. Over the past 11 years we have found its government to be transparent, efficient and practical.

"The UK is a centre of innovation, has a highly skilled workforce, and is respected internationally for the quality of its legal and educational systems. It is for these reasons we have selected the UK as the location for a number of our centres of excellence. I would like to thank our UK customers and partners, as well as the British government, for their continued support."