HCL Technologies has opened new global IT development centre in Sao Leopoldo, Brazil, which will offer a range of services including enterprise application services, custom applications development and maintenance, and remote infrastructure management to clients primarily in Latin America, North America and Europe.
Shami Khorana, president of HCL America, said: Brazil offers the perfect balance of cost savings and talent base that allows HCL to serve clients not only in this fast-growing region, but also in the US and Europe. In addition there is tremendous potential in Latin America and we view Brazil as our beachhead for the region.
The company expects to hire over 300 engineers to work at the centre by 2010. With this centre, HCL plans to service its clients and prospects in the financial services, insurance, healthcare/pharmaceutical, public sector and manufacturing industries.
HCL said that the plan for the development centre was also influenced by the growing economy and increasing demand forecasted for IT services in the region.
According to IDC, spending in IT services activities in Latin America will be more than $20 billion in 2009 and will grow to more than $25 billion in 2012. Brazil accounts for more than 40% of the overall IT spending in Latin America.
Mr Khorana added: “HCL’s operation in Brazil is the first in a series of locations we will establish in Latin America to help HCL provide superior service and delivery to our local and global clients from the geography they desire.
