IBM adopts Brisbane

Business Asia, Sept 30, 1999

Queensland's aspirations to become the Smart State were given a boost last month, with the announcement that IBM would use Brisbane as its Asia-Pacific Help Centre base.

Leading United States-based computer storage systems group Quantum ATL has also chosen Queensland as the site for its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters.

Other information technology companies making the move to Queensland include:

* US software specialist Indus International, which is relocating its Asia-Pacific headquarters from Singapore to Brisbane;

* Saville, an IT company from Massachusetts, which has chosen Brisbane as the site for its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters; and

* Dascom, which moved its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters from Silicon Valley to the Gold Coast.

Deputy Premier Jim Elder said Queensland and Brisbane were attractive to IT companies for several reasons.

"Firstly our location is close to the Asia-Pacific region, we have competitively priced office space, the State offers a lifestyle second to none and we have a skilled workforce," he said.

"These elements have not been lost on those companies that have chosen the State nor those that are exploring relocation to Queensland."