IBM Corp has extended its operations in the former Soviet Union, opening an office in the notoriously crime-ridden city of Vladivostok on Russia’s Pacific coast, as well as a representativeoffice in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Vladivostok office will report to IBM’s subsidiary in Moscow, IBM East Europe/Asia. Former general manager Lennart Krook said at the time By having a permanent staff in Vladivostok we can improve our service to the local and regional customers. Clive Stichburg has taken over from Krook. The office in Almaty has been open for some time and already employs 15 staff. It will be supported by IBM in Moscow and regional headquarters in Vienna. The creation of the office acknowledges the economic importance of Kazakhstan which is the ninth largest country in the world in terms of actual size. It has 17m inhabitants and has substantial reserves of oil, coal, iron and copper that have succeeded in drawing the interest of multinationals. Aside from foreign corporations, IBM is likely to be going after the domestic banking sector.
