Update: We are happy to inform you that as of April 12, 2010, Windows Azure platform AppFabric has transitioned to commercial availability and is now a fully SLA-supported paid service. More details available here.

Starting today, the Microsoft Windows Azure platform, including Windows Azure, SQL Azure, and Windows Azure platform AppFabric will be generally available in an additional 20 countries, making our flexible cloud services platform available to a global customer base and partner ecosystem across 41 countries. As a number of time zones apply to our customers and partners worldwide, availability of the Windows Azure platform will roll out to all 20 countries successively this week.

On Feb 1 2010, we announced the general availability of the Windows Azure platform in 21 countries and starting today our global footprint will increase to the following 20 countries and regions in the following currencies:

• Australia $ AUD
• Brazil $ USD
• Chile $ USD
• Colombia $ USD
• Costa Rica $ USD
• Cyprus € EUR
• Czech Republic € EUR
• Greece € EUR
• Hong Kong $ USD
• Hungary € EUR
• Israel $ USD
• Luxemburg € EUR
• Malaysia $ USD
• Mexico $ USD
• Peru $USD
• Philippines $ USD
• Poland € EUR
• Puerto Rico $ USD
• Romania € EUR
• Trinidad and Tobago $ USD

With the Windows Azure platform, customers can take advantage of greater choice in developing cloud-based applications by using familiar tools and leveraging on-premises investments.  Since February 1, thousands of customers have signed up for accounts and customers including OCCMatch.com and Sharpcloud have deployed cloud applications on the Windows Azure platform.  For more stories about how customers are using Windows Azure Platform to cut costs and increase agility, be sure to read the latest customer case studies.

Partners also have the opportunity to create new revenue streams by deploying cloud applications and services on the Windows Azure platform to reach new global markets and generate new revenue opportunities.  Partners interested in building and growing their business in the cloud with the Windows Azure platform should check out the offers available to them, as well as a resource guide, and readiness resources available to help them get started.

Developers interested in building and deploying cloud applications on the Windows Azure platform should start here for a general overview and then go to Get Started to learn how to discover, develop and deploy using Windows Azure, SQL Azure, Windows Azure platform AppFabric or Microsoft Codename ‘Dallas’.