IT firm HCL Infosystems has said it will set up a development centre in Thiruvananthapuram that will create employment opportunities for about 1,600 people over the next nine years.

The company, which received the formal possession of two acres of land for setting up the facility, will set up the centre for designing software services and system integration product labs.

The Centre will be creating job opportunities for around 1,600 professionals over the course of next 9 years and will involve setting up of regional skill development centre, a data-centre facility, networking lab, product development lab, software development centre and remote support centre, HCL Infosystems said in a statement.

"We commend the vision of the government of Kerala to fuel investments in igniting the growth of IT sector in the state and are honoured to have got this opportunity to partner in the state's growth story," HCL Infosystems Executive Vice President George Paul said.

The proposed facility will be built over three phases.

The company already has more than 14 centres in Kerala and would be starting the construction process of the new facility soon, it said.