On October 10, 2013 (Thursday), Cisco held a completion ceremony for its Global Research and Development Center at the Global Center of Excellence in Songdo International City. The center was established to support the development of smart city solutions and to create a cooperative foundation for Korean information technology companies seeking to enter overseas markets. Cisco announced an initial investment of USD 30 million and said the center began operations with about 120 personnel, with plans to expand to 350 personnel over the next five years. Cisco is a global company that develops and supplies network- and information and communications technology-based solutions.