IBM’s research centre now open in West Bengal
Kolkata: Global software major IBM’s Thomas J Watson Research Centre has evinced interest in opening its research and development unit in West Bengal, state IT Minister Debesh Das said on Sunday.
“They have sent me a mail expressing interest to open research and development activities in West Bengal. During my last visit to the US, the Watson Research Centre authorities invited me to their centre and informed me about their plans. They asked me what kind of facility they can open here,” Das said.
“The US software giant is also interested to go for some collaboration. Primarily, Watson Research Centre is interested to start research works on silicon chip and their super computer models in West Bengal,” he added.
The Watson Research Centre is the headquarters for the IBM research division. It is the world’s largest industrial research organization with eight labs globally. About 1,790 people are employed in the research-oriented activities focusing on IT hardware and software developing services.
“The representatives from the Watson Research Centre are likely to visit West Bengal in next couple of months. Earlier, they also came to West Bengal and talked to me regarding their projects but that time everything was in a fluid stage,” Das said. It would be a milestone for West Bengal if the Watson Research Centre began operations in the state, he added.
He said many other US-based IT companies also are interested to invest in the state. “Silicon photovoltaic modules manufacturing companies like Signet Solar and Uni-solar have already shown interest to invest in West Bengal. They are keen to open a solar fabrication unit here,” Das said. (IANS)