Microsoft Plans to Open Development Center in Canada

July 5, 2007POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 14-07MICROSOFT PLANS TO OPEN DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN CANADAMicrosoft announced its plans to open this fall a new development center that is envisioned to become "home to software developers from around the world" in the Vancouver, British Columbia area. Vancouver, a global gateway with a diverse population, is close to Microsoft's corporate offices in Redmond (state of Washington), and allows the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by immigration issues in the U.S. This announcement follows the recent "death" of the immigration bill that would have expanded the number of foreign high-tech workers that could enter the U.S. each year on H-1B visas.High-tech companies have been pushing hard for Congress to increase the number of visas they are allotted. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates made a strong plea for unlimited H-1B visas while Google called for expanded ability to hire foreigners which it credits for the company's success.According to Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos, while the immigration issue was a factor, the company would be opening the center in...