Finite derivation type for Rees matrix semigroups

This paper introduces the topological finiteness condition finite derivation type   (FDT) on the class of semigroups. This notion is naturally extended from the monoid case. With this new concept we are able to prove that if a Rees matrix semigroup MS;I,J;P]$MS;I,J;P]$ has FDT then the semigroup S$S$ also has FDT. Given a monoid S$S$ and a finitely presented Rees matrix semigroup MS;I,J;P]$MS;I,J;P]$ we prove that if the ideal of S$S$ generated by the entries of P$P$ has FDT, then so does MS;I,J;P]$MS;I,J;P]$. In particular, we show that, for a finitely presented completely simple semigroup M$M$, the Rees matrix semigroup M=MS;I,J;P]$M=MS;I,J;P]$ has FDT if and only if the group S$S$ has FDT.