Amazon expands Web-based business services into Asia

Amazon expands Web-based business services to Asia

SEATTLE — Online retailer Amazon.com Inc. said Thursday that it’s going to offer Web-based services to businesses in Asia starting next year.

Amazon Web Services LLC provides cloud computing, storage, database and other services to businesses. The company will open locations in Singapore in the first half of 2010, with other “availability zones” opening in the latter half of next year in the same region.

Pricing will be announced when the services launch in Asia.

Shares of Amazon were up $1.21 to $131.12 in morning trading on Thursday.