ICL has finally completed negotiations with the Andalucian Region in Spain for its proposed software applications software development joint venture there. ICL will invest UKP5m over five years in the joint venture, taking a 51% stake, with the balance held by the Institutio de Fomento de Andalucia development agency. To be based in Seville, the new company will specialise in applications for regional and municipal government in the fields of health, education, power and public services, and is to start operations immediately with jobs for about 30 graduate engineers and technicians. It will use applications generators and knowledge engineering techniques to speed development. In recognition of the potential of the Spanish market, ICL will also base one of its Excellence Centres in Madrid, to specialise in regional government.
