Microsoft to invest US$750m in China

Microsoft to invest US$750m in China

BEIJING: Software giant Microsoft Corp. said Thursday it would invest US$750 million in China over the next three years, calling it the largest software deal ever between China and a foreign firm.

The investment -- pledged in a deal with one of China's most powerful economic ministries -- will cover areas including training, academic and research cooperation and hardware manufacturing, the company said.

The deal is being made with China's State Development Planning Commission (SDPC), whose minister, Zeng Peiyan, will chair a cooperation committee alongside Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.

Microsoft will also license certain technology to local Chinese companies to have them develop software products, the company said in a statement. -- AFP