World class software export centre to be installed in ChilePublished: August 20, 2009
Information technology company UST Global and the multinational General Electric chose Chile for the location of their joint venture, which aims to lead the development of cutting edge software.
A modern technology centre, providing cutting edge support and services to Chilean and overseas clients, will be set up at the end of the year in Valparaiso's region. With the support of the Chilean Economic Development Agency's (CORFO) InvestChile Program, this centre will attend to the needs of different clients around the world who require specific computer program solutions.
The project will officially open during the second semester of 2009. For now, the consortium has initiated a plan for hiring engineers and information technology specialists, which will be extended in the future as the project progresses and the portfolio of clients is developed.
The country's stability and institutional strength were the main factors behind the companies' decision to choose Chile as the platform for this development. They also cited the great interest the government has shown since the beginning, in terms of regarding these types of initiatives as "engines" of local growth.
Joe Nalkara, Joint Chief Operating Officer at UST Global, stated that, "the joint venture between UST Global and GE will definitely create new opportunities for young professionals specialized in software development in Chile. The process of incorporating new personnel will begin gradually as contracts grow with clients around the world." The president of GE in Chile, Alejandro Bottan, added that, "this initiative undoubtedly contributes to the development of innovation."
Carlos Álvarez, executive vice-president of CORFO, asserted that, "the arrival of this UST-GE alliance confirms the potential of Chile and particularly the qualities the country has to offer these types of investments, based on the skills of our professionals and technicians. This project allows us to make solid progress toward the goal of the global services cluster exporting over US$1 billion in 2010 and consolidating Chile as a global services platform for the world."
UST Global has operations in India, the Philippines, and the United States. Chile will be the first Latin American country in which the company has invested.
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