[June 23, 2006] IMB WILL INVEST $40 MLN IN RUSSIAN DEVELOPMENT LAB OVER NEXT 3 YRS Tweet (Interfax News Agency Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) MOSCOW. June 21 (Interfax) - IBM will invest $40 million over the next three years in the Russian Systems & Technology Laboratory, IBM said in a press release. IBM's first development lab in Russia was opened on Tuesday. "The lab will focus on mainframe technology development and continues IBM's emphasis on utilizing skills and expertise around the globe, especially in high-growth countries such as Russia, Brazil, China and India," the release says. "The lab is the fourth major development operation announced by IBM in recent months. Other new facilities include a Linux Technology Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil; a Solutions & Technology Center in Bangalore, India; and a mainframe development lab in Shanghai, China," the release says. "The Russian Federation offers a favorable economic environment, highly trained technical workers and excellent educational institutions," the release cites Rod Adkins, Vice President of Worldwide Development, IBM Systems & Technology Group, as saying. "The lab joins a globally integrated network of IBM R&D facilities around the world that drive the development of IBM's most advanced computing systems," he said. "The Russian lab already is staffed by more than 40 employees. One of its first projects will focus on part of the operating system for the System z mainframe," the release says. "Creation of the lab strengthens IBM presence in Russia, where it was first established in 1974. It currently has direct presence in the 10 largest cities of Russia as well as in the Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Over the past five years, IBM Russia's annual revenue has grown in double-digit figures, including 29% in 2005 and 75% in 2004," the release says. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]