IBM, the world’s largest computer-services company, has announced its plan to invest nearly six billion dollars in India over the next three years, underscoring the country’s growing importance as a global hub for IT outsourcing and expertise, reports Reuters.

“India and other emerging economies are an increasingly important part of IBM’s global success,” says Samuel Palmisano, Chairman and Chief Executive, IBM.

The company plans to expand its services, software, hardware and research businesses in India, where it already is the largest multinational company with 43,000 employees spanning 14 cities.

The deal, almost triple the $2 billion that IBM has already invested in India over the past three years, is the biggest investment by a multinational corporation in India in recent years.

“IBM’s plans in India include centers to automate information-technology services and providing clients with “one-stop shopping” for computer hardware information and products,” added Palmisano.

IBM also will develop a telecommunications research and innovation center at its laboratory in Delhi, India, and establish a hub linking IBM consultants, developers, engineers and researchers.