Rio de Janeiro, Jan 18 (IANS): Microsoft inaugurated a major technology centre in Brazil's largest city Sao Paulo Tuesday.

The new Microsoft Technology Centre (MTC) is the largest of its kind in Latin America, and will operate as a tech simulation centre. The MTC will be open to Microsoft's partners, corporate clients, NGOs, and students, reported Xinhua.

The investments in the new technology centre amounted to $10 million.

Microsoft plans to inaugurate five other MTCs in Brazil. Three cities have already been chosen including Rio, Salvador and Recife. The MTC in Rio will be located in the port area, which is undergoing major renovations to be completed by the beginning of the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The Sao Paulo MTC is the second one to be built in Latin America. The first was inaugurated last year in Mexico City. According to Microsoft, it is the 17th centre outside the US.

During the inauguration, Microsoft signed an agreement with Brazil's science and technology ministry to create six technology incubators, to stimulate innovation in fields such as education, health, oil and gas, and videogames.