The General Electric Company (GE) opened its world-class research centre at Whitefield, Bangalore. The Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna inaugurated the John F Welch Technology centre on September 17, 2000. The inauguration of the centre was held in the presence of Jack Welch, Chairman and CEO of GE.

Commending GE for having chosen Bangalore to set up the centre, S M Krishna said," We pledge our support to the efforts of this centre which will help enhance the multi-disciplinary engineering and R&D capabilities in our State of Karnataka and the entire country." Also he hoped that the country could avoid brain-drain and result in brain-gain with the setting up of similar establishments that would attract intellectuals. In his speech, the CM recalled the installation of GE turbines around 100 years ago in the country's first hydel power project at Shivanasamudram near Mysore and lauded GE's technological skills that are reflected in those century old turbines, which are still working.

Speaking on the occasion, Jack Welch, overwhelmed with the talent that he's seen in India, said, "A truly global company will be the one that uses the intellect and resources from every corner of the world. As GE continues the push into new technology centers, including its US lab in Schenectady, New York, to conduct R&D and engineering for all of GE."

While assuring the support of the state government, the Chief Minister said that the government would pledge its support for the centre that would help in improving the multi-disciplinary engineering and R&D capabilities in Karnataka and India.

GE's Senior Vice President, Corporate R&D, Scott Donnelly said, " The John F Welch Technology centre is an extraordinary addition to GE's Corporate R&D organization and this
expansion will help GE to drive continued leadership across a broad range of businesses and technologies." While describing their futuristic strategies, the centre's Managing Director Jean M Heuschen said that they are equipped with India's multi-disciplinary skills in engineering, science and IT for the benefit of customers worldwide.

The centre is built on 186,000 square foot that has come with an investment of 130 million USD. At present it is equipped with 370 scientists and engineers for research in cutting edge technologies. It is also expecting the number of technologists to grow to 1,200 by the end of 2001.

For more details on the company, visit their site: http://www.ge.com

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