Recently, International IT giant, IBM announced that it is operational to set up a Software Lab in Kochi, Kerala in India. IBM Software Labs are the prominent global innovation centers that develop and deliver next-generation software portfolios and cloud contributions.

In a virtual meeting, Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Sandip Patel - Managing Director, IBM India, and Gaurav Sharma - Vice President, IBM India Software Labs discussed the role of technology in hastening the state’s digital mission. During the meeting the Hon. Chief Minister shared his vision of making Kerala a Digital Knowledge-Economy, the variations announced in the IT policy, and the role of technology in assisting segments reset and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Shri Pinarayi Vijayan also conferred the significance of cooperation between Industries, Government, and Academia to drive growth opportunities within the state.

Gaurav Sharma discussed the offered expansion of IBM Software Labs’ operations in Kerala which includes forming a state-of-the-art product engineering, design, and software development center in Kochi. This center will focus on developing solutions, infusing global design techniques, agile methodologies, and progressive technologies including automation, data and artificial intelligence (AI), and security to support the requirements of the government and global customers.

“IBM India is a microcosm of the IBM corporation committed to furthering the country’s vision of Make in India, for India and the World. IBM brings its global best practices to India and we hope to do that in Kerala as well, by building indigenous skills in the state that will create a talent pool for the global marketplace. Expansion in Kerala would provide us access to world-class skills and diversity of talent, drive skills development and enhance employability,” said, Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India.

“Kerala is a talent hub for IT professionals and entrepreneurs, and we are pleased with IBM’s proposed expansion in the state. Technology Development Centers play an important role in driving economic growth by bringing innovations to the market quickly.  We will extend our full support to IBM to establish its software development center in Kerala. I’m confident that our talent and IBM’s leading technologies will have a far-reaching impact which will create employment opportunities, accelerate digital innovation and provide a strong foundation for the IT/ITeS sector in the state,” said, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan.

The projected enlargement is associated to IBM’s vision to contour the future of software development- through an open, secure, decentralized architecture that helps clients automate, secure, modernize and predict. Currently, IBM Software Labs operate from Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai in India.