IBM to establish new software development center in India

NEW DELHI (AP) - IBM Corp. (NYSE:IBM) announced Thursday it will establish a new software development centre in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta, creating 3,000 jobs. The centre is expected to deliver Web-based technologies and business consulting, the company said in a statement. It didn't say when the centre would be fully operational or how much IBM plans to invest in it.

IBM Corp. has been aggressively expanding its Indian workforce, growing from 38,500 workers in December 2005 to 43,000 in June this year, the statement said.

The Calcutta centre will house IBMs second-largest pool of workers after Bangalore, India's key information technology hub in the southern state of Karnataka.

"Our new facility in Calcutta will further augment our vast global delivery network that spans three dozen countries, including India," said Shanker Annaswamy, managing director of IBM India.

IBM will also launch its continuing education program for the first time in India, enabling science graduates in West Bengal state to train with the company to receive a masters degree.

"Our exponential growth in Calcutta is a testimony to our commitment to develop India as a key location for our global delivery capabilities," said Amitabh Ray, vice-president of IBM India's consulting and application services.

© The Canadian Press, 2006