- Monday, February 24, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
PINARAYI Vijayan, the chief minister of the South Indian state of Kerala, on Wednesday (4) hailed the decision of information technology giant IBM over its decision to set up a software lab in Kochi in the state.
Vijayan said the move will pave the way for a huge leap in the state’s information technology sector.
The IBM’s announcement came a day after Vijayan, Sandip Patel, IBM India managing director and Gaurav Sharma, vice president of IBM India Software Labs – discussed in a virtual meeting the role of technology in accelerating Kerala’s digital mission.
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IBM Software Labs are leading global innovation centers that develop and deliver next-generation software portfolio and cloud offerings.
Vijayan thanked the information technology giant for showing interest in playing a more active role in Kerala growth in the sector to say, “Undoubtedly, IBM’s expansion will pave the way for a huge leap in Kerala’s IT development.” He added, “The Kerala government will ensure the commitment and support required to materialise the project.”
He also said that he had a “very fruitful meeting” with Patel and Sharma on Tuesday and “extended Kerala’s wholehearted support to the new venture”.
The chief minister added the upcoming centre in Kerala will focus on developing solutions, infusing global design techniques, agile methodologies and advanced technologies, including automation, data and artificial intelligence, and security to support the requirements of the government and global customers.
The IBM said in a statement that Vijayan shared his vision of making Kerala a Digital Knowledge Economy and said about the changes brought in the information technology policy and the role of technology in helping sectors reset and recover from the pandemic.
Speaking on the occasion, Patel said 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,” he said.
The company said the proposed expansion is aligned to its vision to shape the future of software development — through an open, secure, decentralized architecture that helps clients automate, secure, modernize and predict.
Currently IBM Software Labs operates from the four Indian cities of Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai.
The development will bring a relief to the government of India’s only Left-ruled state since it recently faced flak over the decision of local garment manufacturer Kitex to withdraw from the state alleging government apathy and going to another South Indian state of Telangana.
