IBM establishes India/South Asia as a region

IBM announced the creation of India/South Asia as its sixth and newest region in
Asia Pacific, and ASEAN as a stand-alone region. The newly-created India/South
Asia region includes Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and will be headed by Shanker
Annaswamy who has been the GM, IBM India since July 2004. In his new role as GM-Region,
IBM India/South Asia, Annaswamy will continue leading IBM's India operations
in addition to his region responsibilities and will report to Frank Kern,
President, IBM Asia Pacific.

Ong Hoon Meng, who succeeds DC Chien as the GM-Region, IBM ASEAN, will helm
the ASEAN region, comprising Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Thailand, Vietnam and other territories.

“The creation of these two new regions reflects the high growth potential
and wealth of opportunities each region avails. Over the years, we have built up
enormous wealth of talent in India/South Asia and ASEAN and we can now lower the
center of gravity by moving authority and expertise closer to clients and
shifting people and investments to the greatest opportunities,” Kern said, “This
development further affirms IBM's strategy to transform into a globally
integrated enterprise, reaping benefits for our clients, our business and our
shareholders within each region and growing the markets respectively,” he
added. Other regions within IBM Asia Pacific are Australia/New Zealand, Greater
China Group, Japan and Korea.

In June 2006, Samuel J Palmisano, Chairman, President and CEO, IBM announced
a $6 billion investment over the next three years in India, in the presence of
the APJ Abdul Kalam, President, India. This indicates the importance the IT
giant is placing on India which has become one of the fastest growing businesses
within the corporation and the center of excellence for global mission
activities across the organization.

DQC NEWS BUREAU