Microsoft plans MP centre

Microsoft India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, will open an application development centre in Madhya Pradesh.

Confirming that talks between the company and the state government were at an advance stage and an agreement is likely soon after the Lok Sabha elections, company officials said the proposed centre would create various applications on a Hindi platform.

Microsoft is also likely launch its "Project Shikhsha" in Madhya Pradesh soon.

Addressing a gathering at the launch of Microsoft's "Office in Hindi" programme on Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati invited the company to make "job-oriented" investment in the state.

Sudev Muthya, director Enterprise and Partner Group Microsoft Corporation (India), said: "We want to set up our application development centre in Madhya Pradesh. We are also planning to launch our 'Project Shiksha' in the state and want to work with companies that can develop our applications. Investing in Bangalore, Delhi or Gurgaon is costlier. Moreover, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, being Hindi speaking regions, can offer great advantage to us."

Declining to comment on the size of the investment, Muthya, however, clarified that the company would like to work as a partner of the state government and not as an investment firm.