Google coming to Bangalore

Google Inc, the world's most famous Internet search engine, has decided to cash in on the "low-cost, high quality" advantage that India offers.

The company has announced that it will open its Indian R&D centre in Bangalore, early next year. Senior officials from the Software Technology Parks of India, Bangalore have confirmed that they have already been approached by Google, "which plans to set up an R&D centre in Bangalore".

Stating that Google would set up its unit through the STPI schemes, the official added, "We were approached by Google in late November. Yes, we can confirm that they have plans here, but they are yet to be presented to us in a consolidated manner."

It may be noted that media reports on Google entering Bangalore had already starting making rounds on Friday morning. Though none of the state government officials were available for comments, STPI has finally confirmed this development.

Similar to many top Indian and multinational IT companies, Google is likely to avail of the various benefits, including tax breaks, offered to the IT industry in the country when it registers with the STPI.

US financial daily The Wall Street Journal had reported that Google planned to "hire some 100 engineers with computer science background" in India for its Bangalore centre. The news comes as a boost to the IT industry here which has been seeking to go up the value chain.