Microsoft Corp and Hewlett-Packard Co yesterday announced a new product development and testing center in Taiwan.
The establishment of Microsoft and HP Solution Centers represents the first time that the two firms have come together to increase their investment in the country.
It is estimated that the investment will generate a return of nearly NT$2.5 billion (US$81.38 million) in productivity in five years, they said.
Microsoft said it is optimistic about the role Taiwan can play in the global technology industry over the next 10 years.
"Leveraging the next-generation Web and dynamic IT is the key to establishing Taiwan's strategic differentiation and competitive advantage, and Microsoft and HP's investment signifies our belief in the importance of this," John Knutsen, director of the global Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) program, said at a press briefing.
The Microsoft-HP investment is intended to help their business partners design and develop solutions, as well as help customers take advantage of the latest technologies, Knutsen said.
"HP's advantage of investing in the MTCs will allow our joint customers to get first-hand experience by working together, which helps eliminate their concerns and questions when they want to take the technologies into production," said George Oakes, a HP technology consultant manager.
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