Leading ICT consultant Ovum establishes office in Hong Kong to strengthen its regional presence
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The largest European-headquartered adviser on telecoms, software and IT services, Ovum today announced the official opening of its Hong Kong operation.  The new office is part of the firm﷿s proactive strategy to deepen relationships with clients based in Asia, and to grow business and develop markets throughout the region.  

The General Manager, Ovum Asia Pacific, Mr Antonio Bartolome, said Hong Kong plays a key role in  Ovum﷿s global operations.  "Our presence in Hong Kong enables us to be closer to a host of both local and global clients, resulting in better all around service, support and closer relationships.  At the same time, it allows us to better understand the key growth issues in one of the fastest growing technology markets ﷿ exactly where Ovum wants to be," Mr Bartolome said.

The Ovum Hong Kong office will offer four main categories of services: contract advisory services, consulting, paid analyst activities and research content.  All services provided will be in line with Ovum﷿s operations worldwide.

The Sales Director, Ovum Asia Pacific, Mr Tom Zheng said Asia was home to some of the most diverse markets, ranging from those in the earliest stages of development to the most advanced markets.  "Operators in different markets are facing different sets of challenges and strategies, depending on their regulatory and competitive environments and stages of development.  Hong Kong is located at the centre of Asia which enables us to respond swiftly to clients based in other parts of the region,蒅 Mr Zheng said.

The company is seeking local expert staff to cater for the anticipated upsurge in demand for their services.  According to Mr Zheng, Hong Kong﷿s high quality workforce and sound management skills enabled the company to develop new business more efficiently and effectively.

The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, welcomed the company﷿s decision to set up its Hong Kong operation.

䩕With our highly developed ICT industry, the demand for independent advice is paramount for operators and regulators when dealing with the pressures and complexities of their own markets. Our city offers tremendous opportunities for companies like Ovum to expand their network throughout Asia-Pacific. Apart from our strategic location, our outstanding IT and telecommunications infrastructure are among the major reasons that so many ICT companies set up their regional support centres here to serve clients throughout Asia Pacific,蒅 Mr Galpin said.

He wished Ovum every success in Hong Kong and the rest of Asia.

Since being established in 1985, Ovum has become the largest European-based independent analyst and consultant in telecommunications and information technology.  The company advises large corporations, IT and software vendors, IT services providers, telecommunication operators, regulators, service providers and equipment suppliers.  It analyses the commercial impact of technology and market changes, including developments where telecommunications, software and IT services interact.  In addition to Hong Kong, Ovum has offices in London, Paris, Cologne, Boston, Melbourne, Seoul and Tokyo.   For more information about the company, visit www.ovum.com.

Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with promoting and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing foreign companies with a wide range of services free of charge and support needed to establish a business presence here.  For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:02

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