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A leading international telecommunications provider, EADS TELECOM, today (September 27) opened its regional office in Hong Kong, gaining a strategic foothold in the region.

Headquartered in France, EADS TELECOM is the telecommunications division of the EADS Group, the largest aeronautics, space and defence firm in Europe, and second worldwide.

EADS TELECOM provides and integrates secure turnkey telecommunications solutions based on civilian technology for the global defence, public safety and civil markets. The company also develops secure digital radio networks.

EADS TELECOM's Chief Operating Officer, Mr Patrick Jourdan, commented on the decision to open the new office in Hong Kong. He said: "It is a logical step for EADS TELECOM to extend its international presence, especially in Asia, where there is considerable commercial potential."

EADS TELECOM's Enterprise Business Director Asia, Mr Luc Bentolila, adds: "Until now, EADS TELECOM has sold its enterprise communication systems in Asia, via the distribution channels of Nortel Networks. The opening of the Hong Kong office will make it easier for us to secure agreements with local distributors capable of offering and integrating our Connexity solutions for the Enterprise market: Telephony over IP, Security, and Contact Centres."

The Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of EADS TELECOM's regional office today.

At the opening reception, Mr Rowse officially welcomed EADS TELECOM to Hong Kong. He said: "We are very happy to see that EADS TELECOM has chosen Hong Kong as a springboard for its activity on the Enterprise market in Asia. It's a great illustration of how an international group can key in to the benefits offered by the geographical and commercial location of our city."

Mr Rowse added: "We are also pleased to have companies like EADS TELECOM introducing leading-edge telecom technology to Hong Kong, and making use of Hong Kong as a platform to market their services throughout the region."

"Offering an efficient and international business environment, Hong Kong is the ideal regional base for companies to develop into the Asian market and a central hub for co-ordinating their business activities in different parts of Asia."

With a local presence in 13 countries covering Europe, the United States and Mexico, EADS TELECOM has a total of 3,500 employees with pro-forma revenues of 860 million euros worldwide in 2001.

Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating foreign investment into the city by providing all the support needed to establish a business presence here.

End/Friday, September 27, 2002

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