Microsoft to build hub for cloud services in Greece

[October 05, 2020] ATHENS (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. <MSFT.O> is to build a new data centre in Greece as it invests in cloud services infrastructure in the country, a boon to an economy weakened by a decade-long debt crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at a virtual event in Athens on Monday, Microsoft President Brad Smith said the new data centre would be beneficial to business, consumers and banks.

The size of the investment was not disclosed.

"We are investing today in research and technology in Greece," Smith said through a translator. "There will be benefits for Greece given our commitment to training for thousands of people."

Separately, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the data centre would bring long-term financial benefits of 1.0 billion euros ($1.17 billion) to Greece.

"Greece will become a world hub for cloud," Mitsotakis said, adding that the state-of-the-art centre would also upgrade the country as an investment destination.

He said the project will include a training program in digital skills for about 100,000 people.

($1 = 0.8519 euros)

(Reporting by George Georgiopoulos and Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

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