Cisco to triple headcount, $50mln R

New Delhi, Dec 6 (UNI) US-based Cisco will increase its headcount in the country to 6,000 from its existing 2,000 in next three years, besides investing 50 million dollars for a new R&D facility in Bangalore expected to be completed by June 2007.

The company has also announced to set up a new manufacturing facility in Chennai to cater to the domestic market.

''We will triple our workforce in India within the next three years. In addition, 1,000 more people will be added to strenghten our workforce,'' Cisco Chief Executive John Chambers told reporters here today.

The company has allocated more than 750 million dollars towards R&D activities, training and development in the country over the next three years, he added.

He said within few months, the company would invest another 25-30 million dollars in the Indian companies involved in broadband content and digital media.

He said the company expected its local business growing at 20-40 per cent a year.

Mr Chambers said India's contribution would be five per cent of Cisco's total revenues in the next two to three years, while half of the future growth in its staff numbers will come from here.

However, Mr Chamber said Cisco would invest 100 million dollars to expand its technical services out of India.

On being asked about the exports from India, Mr Chambers said ''we are targeting every country for export from India.'' Cisco, which makes equipment that directs traffic on the Internet, said it was on track with its plan to invest 1.1 billion dollars over next three years in India.

UNI SBA DKS DB2007