NIIT to hire 100 more in Singapore

In an effort to strengthen its Asia Pacific operations, NIIT Technologies on Wednesday said it would double its headcount in its Singapore software development facility to 200 over the next 18 months, besides making it the company's international headquarters for the region.

"We will increase our headcount in Singapore to 200 from the current 100 for the expansion of our development and managed shared services activities," NIIT Technologies president Arvind Thakur said.

The company also announced the consolidation of its regional operations by making Singapore the international headquarters for the Asia Pacific operations.

With the restructuring, NIIT Technologies' subsidiaries or branch offices in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia will report to the Singapore headquarters.

It will provide regional support for finance, HR, technology, recruitment and software delivery to its subsidiaries in these countries.

The move to make Singapore the APAC headquarters was triggered by the award of international headquarter status by the Singapore government to the company which entails lower tax liabilities on the company's revenue from Singapore, priority in visa and work permits and a stamp of working closely with the government, Thakur said.

So far, TCS is the only other Indian IT company to have an International headquarter status. There are 1500 Indian companies in Singapore, of which 450 are IT companies.

"NIIT's enhanced presence in Singapore through the manifestation of this IHQ award is an indication of the growing ties between India and Singapore," Teo Ming Kian, chairman, Economic Development Board said.

"We will leverage on our existing client relationships and IHQ status to make Singapore the resourcing and technology hub for Asia Pacific region," he added.

NIIT Technologies has strong clients in the government of Singapore, including ministry of defence and Singapore Airlines and is involved in e-governance projects.