Microsoft announced a five-year investment plan that will provide 1.5 billion dollars to help Italy accelerate digital development. In addition, the company will build its first data center in the country, expand its partnership with the postal operator Poste Italiane, provides small and medium businesses with access to hubs and MI programs, etc.
According to a Microsoft report, the company plans to expand partnerships with Italian companies to encourage innovation among developers, start-ups, businesses, and the government. The new data center, to be built in Milan, will give companies with Microsoft access to enterprise-class cloud services.
There are also plans to devote more attention to training people. Together with Italian partners, Microsoft plans to train 1.5 million students, experts, and unemployed people in various professions over the next three years. Stakeholders will be able to join the Alliance for Sustainable Development, which will provide technology products to help the public and private sectors create solutions that improve sustainability.
“I am proud to announce our $1.5 billion investment plan for Italy. This plan will help companies across the country to support and rebuild their businesses, explore new business opportunities and help solve some of the country’s most complex problems. We see tremendous potential to accelerate innovation in the national ecosystem through cloud services, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Our mission is to enable people and organizations in Italy to do better,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and global sales, marketing and operations at Microsoft.