US technology giant Microsoft is going to invest $1 billion in Mexico over the next three years to support digital education in the Latin American country. The investment, according to Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto, will generate a strong pool of IT talent in the years to come.
The investment was announced following the President’s meeting with Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella, who praised the president for his reform programs. At the meeting, the president also explained how his country was reforming its telecom industry.
Analysts say the move will strengthen the country’s information technology workforce, and will provide the necessary infrastructure to develop future software designers for the country.
The Microsoft chief said his company had already promoted micro, small and medium-size enterprises in the country and will carry on its job. Additionally, Nadella confirmed the company’s commitment to supporting existing clusters in Queretaro, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Guanajuato and Puebla.
Accompanied by the president, Microsoft CEO also met a few entrepreneurs whom his company has supported. Among them was Alejandro Cantu, founder and CEO of SkyAlert, which employs about 75 people in Mexico.
SkyAlert says it is using Microsoft’s technology platform to reach millions of Mexicans. Some analysts have stated that SkyAlert’s success is proof that Latinos can easily make their mark in the tech industry if they are given a little training.
“This might just be a political stunt, but regardless, Mexico will benefit from Microsoft’s investment. The recent influx of Asian dominance in the tech industry, and the apparent lack of renowned Latinos in the tech industry, could change after this investment,” writes Larry Darrell on Bidnessetc.
Microsoft has already invested millions of dollars in Latin America for its YouthSpark initiative, which provides technical training and job counseling for youths.
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