Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Cisco Systems Inc. last week disclosed plans to spend US$265 million over the next five years in Saudi Arabia. The plan includes adding about 530 employees, opening a technology and entrepreneurial demonstration center, and donating networking equipment and training services for use in poor areas of the country.

Cisco President and CEO John Chambers, who announced the investment plans during a visit to Saudi Arabia, said that the networking vendor is increasing its operations there because of the country's increasing role in the global economy.

Chambers said Cisco plans to increase its Saudi workforce from about 70 people to 600 and set up 100 additional networking training centers, where its personnel will work with local universities to provide technical programs. The company currently has 42 training centers in Saudi Arabia.

Cisco also plans to provide incubation space for Saudi start-up companies and R&D operations, plus equipment, training and support services for Internet connections to 2,000 homes in underprivileged areas, according to Chambers.

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