Global computing giant, IBM has said that it is planning to invest about $1.2 billion in order to strengthen its cloud services operations.

The company, which focuses on computing services, has said that it will build 15 data centers around the world this year.  The company already runs 12 data centres and it acquired another 13 as part of its $2 billion acquisition of cloud computing company SoftLayer last year.

The company is planning to open new data centres in China, Hong Kong, London, Japan, India, Canada, Mexico City, Washington, D. C., and Texas.  The company has said that it wants to operate data centres in all major geographic regions and financial centres in the world.  The company is planning to expand in the Middle East and Africa next year.

The company said that new data centres will allow its business clients the ability to place and control their data globally.  Businesses are increasingly benefiting from software stored and accessed on clouds as it allows remote access.

IBM Corp. started its cloud business in 2007 and has already invested billions on cloud-related acquisitions in recent years.

In a statement, IBM said: ""This investment includes a network of data centres designed to bring clients greater flexibility, transparency and control over how they manage their data, run their businesses and deploy their IT operations in the cloud.  With this announcement, IBM plans to have data centres in all major geographies and financial centres with plans to expand in the Middle East and Africa in 2015."