IT firm, HCL Technologies has commissioned a new Global Delivery Centre in Redmond, Washington at an initial investment of $4 million which will create more than 400 jobs in the Seattle area over the next two years.

The new centre will support HCL’s continued global expansion and increased focus on business innovation in software product development, test engineering and business critical platform development, the company said in a filing with stock exchanges.

The centre was inaugurated by Ms Chris Gregoire, Governor of Washington State in the presence of Mr Shami Khorana, President of HCL Americas.

At the office opening ceremony, HCL announced Microsoft as its first official enterprise customer.

At the event, Microsoft Director Mr Brad Weed pledged $200,000 from the company’s Workforce Investment Act Fund to HCL to assist with training of future employees from the Seattle area, the company said.

The collaborative engineering hub will have a 350-seat capacity and will provide both engineering and product development services.

“This centre shows our high level of commitment to our customers and our vision of local expansion by investment in people, facilities and processes,” HCL Americas President Mr Shami Khorana said.

HCL is working closely with the Washington State Department of Commerce and Enterprise, Seattle, for hiring and developing talent locally.

Additionally, HCL will work closely with several local universities to recruit young graduates, including the University of Washington, University of Washington-Bothell Campus, University of Washington-Tacoma, Seattle University, and Seattle Pacific University.