Singapore’s drive to be a leading global IT hub has received a boost from the opening of IBM’s Singapore Technology Park (ISTP). The new S$90-million facility will serve as IBM’s manufacturing and fulfillment center for IBM’s high-end systems clients across Asia, Africa and Europe. The 365,000-square-foot facility will also be responsible for the manufacture and fulfillment of IBM disk and tape storage technology, as well as related hardware appliances worldwide.

“The opening of IBM’s Singapore Technology Park is a significant milestone in the strong partnership between Singapore and IBM. IBM’s investment affirms Singapore’s capabilities for complex, high-value manufacturing and global supply chain management. It also reinforces Singapore’s drive to be a leading knowledge economy, powered by digital intelligence,” said Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Finance, Singapore.

Singapore was chosen as the site for the new facility because of its geographical location close to a growing number of global clients investing in modern IT infrastructures powered by  systems optimized from the microprocessor to hardware and software to handle demanding new applications for clients worldwide. Being based in Singapore also provides IBM with increased access to talent and suppliers that are crucial to the manufacturing process.