Microsoft today announced its new state-of-the-art R&D facility here. The 1,54,000 sq ft building

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would house the Bangalore Microsoft India Development Centre (MSIDC) team that contributes to Microsoft Corp'sadCenter technologies, as well as the researchers from Microsoft Research India.

Microsoft's first R&D centre was set up in Hyderabad in 1998, whileMicrosoft Research India was established here in 2005.

Inaugurating the building, Qi Lu, President, Online Services Division, Microsoft Corp,said for the last one decade, India has been a key player in Microsoft's strategy of global shared development.

"The availability of world class talent, advanced infrastructure and proximity to the booming emerging markets of the world are key reasons behind this. The decision to set up our second R&D centre in Bangalore reinforces Microsoft's commitment towards India," Qi said.

Last April, Microsoft announced the extension of its engineering efforts to Bangalore as part of the Search alliance between it and Yahoo Inc.

"The process of transition is now complete.With the combined strength of Yahoo and Microsoft Corp's Search marketplace, we are ready to deliver greater and improved innovation for consumers, better volume and efficiency for advertisers and better monetisation opportunities for web publishers," Qi said.