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Canada-based Research In Motion (RIM) announced it has expanded its Hong Kong office as part of a major push into the Asia-Pacific region.
The Hong Kong office expansion is the latest in a series of announcements that has seen RIM significantly step up its presence in Asia-Pacific. The office will serve as regional headquarters to assist Research In Motion as well as its partners in Asia-Pacific, in markets such as Greater China, South Korea, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
"Hong Kong boasts a superb business network, advanced infrastructure, and a highly skilled labour force, making it an ideal location to base our Asia-Pacific operations," said Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific at Research In Motion. "There is significant potential here in Asia Pacific and the opening of our expanded Hong Kong office will help us address the increasing opportunities that are being generated in existing and new markets."
John Rutherford, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong said: "We are delighted that Research In Motion, a world leader in wireless communications solutions, has selected Hong Kong to continue its expansion in Asia. This decision once again underlines the key role Hong Kong plays as the business hub in Asia. By choosing to expand its business in the region through a base here, the company has demonstrated its confidence and commitment in Hong Kong's business environment. RIM's expansion will enrich our technology sectors and enhance our overall competitiveness. We at Invest Hong Kong wish RIM every success in its future development locally, regionally and internationally."
According to Mr Lo, Hong Kong already occupies a special place in RIM's history, because Hutchison, now 3 Hong Kong was the first carrier to introduce BlackBerry to Asia-Pacific. The company currently works with over 25 carriers in 16 markets in Asia Pacific. As part of the company's expansion, it will add approximately 10 more carrier partners in the region by the end of this year.
"Hong Kong not only boasts a superb business network, legal system, advanced ICT infrastructure, and a highly skilled labour force, it is also the gateway to mainland China, which offers significant opportunity for growth," said Lo. "For all these reasons, Hong Kong is an ideal location for RIM's regional headquarters."
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organisations around the world.
Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, please visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, July 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:30
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