WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - International Business Machines announced on Wednesday a partnership with Twitter to use data collected from tweets published around the world to help shape business decisions.

Through the offering IBM will help businesses predict trends in the marketplace and consumer sentiment about products and brands.

IBM plans to offer Twitter data as part of its analytics services delivered through cloud computing, including cognitive computing.

Software developers will also be able to use Twitter data in applications they are building using IBM's Bluemix and Watson Developer Cloud offering.

Twitter also plans to collaborate with IBM to develop solutions for the banking, consumer products, retail and travel industries.

"Data is the phenomenon of our time," said IBM chief executive Ginni Rometty.

"Twitter has created something extraordinary. When you bring this together with other kinds of information and leverage IBM's innovations in analytics, Watson and cloud, business decision making will never be the same," she said at an event announcing the launch.

"This is a huge milestone for Twitter," said Twitter CEO Dick Costolo, adding: "IBM brings a unique ability to integrate complex systems and data to help clients make better business decisions."

IBM shares were off a fraction at US$163.55, Twitter shares dipped 2.8 per cent to US$42.54.