Major ICT Investment delivers 2000 jobs
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14 April 2008
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Victoria’s position as a global information technology hub has been further enhanced with one of India’s largest IT companies Satyam Computer Services to build a new software development and training campus just south of Melbourne at Geelong, Victoria’s second largest city.
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The centre is expected to boost Victoria’s economy by around $175 million annually within a decade and create 2000 jobs.
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The new project will more than double the current number of Satyam jobs in Australia and the new centre will mirror the company’s campus-like facilities at the head office in Hyderabad, India, and feature facilities for training, research and development, a convention centre and housing.
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Satyam has offices in 60 countries around the world, including Malaysia, Japan and the United States; and will source around 70 per cent of all recruits for the new Geelong centre from Victorian and Australian universities.
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Victorian Premier John Brumby said the company’s decision to locate its new centre in Geelong was a vote of confidence in Victoria’s ICT industry and in regional Victoria.
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“Since 1999, the Victorian Government has attracted and facilitated investment worth more than $1.5 billion and more than 10,000 jobs in the ICT sector,” he added.
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Victoria’s ICT sector generates annual revenue of $24.4 billion, exports of over $1 billion and employs around 85,000 people – over a third of the national ICT workforce.
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Victorian Information and Communication Technology Minister Theo Theophanous said the state is the largest source of ICT university graduates in Australia.
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“It is fantastic to see global companies recognising the value of our highly-skilled workforce,” Mr Theophanous said.
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Satyam founder and chairman Rama Raju said he was looking forward to his company making a new home in Geelong and extending links with Victoria.
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“We are delighted to be able to announce Geelong as the location of the new Satyam Technology and Learning Centre and we look forward to cultivating new friendships with Victoria and Australia,” Mr Raju said.
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Satyam’s annual revenue is expected to top US$2 billion in 2007-2008, with a global workforce of around 42,500. It is one of India’s largest IT software and services company with 570 active customers including 165 Fortune Global 500 and Fortune US 500 companies.
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In Australia, its customers include some of the largest companies and banks in the country.
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City of Greater Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said he was delighted to welcome Satyam to Geelong.
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“This is a wonderful boost for our city, our economy and for the people of Geelong. Our vibrant region continues to grow and this will encourage more large corporations to make a home here,” Cr Harwood said.
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