Google And IBM Open New Development Centers In Israel

Ryan R. Jones
All Headline News Middle East Correspondent
October 18, 2006

Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Both Google and IBM on Tuesday announced that they were expanding their research and development operations in Israel.

Google plans to open a new R&D center in Tel Aviv, to compliment the one it already has in the northern port city of Haifa.

The Tel Aviv center will be headed by a noted Israeli expert in algorithms, data bases and Internet technology.

IBM added to its two existing R&D labs in Israel by opening a software lab dedicated to advancing the computer-maker giant's search, metadata management, and collaborative real-time technologies.

Over the past several years, IBM has also acquired several software companies with Israel-based development teams.

In remarks carried by Israeli21c, Meir Nissensohn, General Manager of IBM Israel, said the company's latest move "is a strong vote of confidence from IBM for the software development capabilities existing in this country."

Other computer-related companies that maintain major R&D centers in Israel include Intel and Microsoft.