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US-invested photonics company Amonics Ltd has strengthened its presence in Hong Kong. Invest Hong Kong welcomed the company?s long-term commitment to the development of high tech industry in Hong Kong.

Located at the Hong Kong Science Park, the company was founded in 2002 by a group of active research scientists and engineers with extensive experience in the field of fibre optics and optical science. To leverage growing business opportunities in the region, the company recently expanded its presence through a merger with another photonics company in Hong Kong.

Director of the Board of Amonics Mr Henry Hou-Chung Hung expressed confidence in the overall development of the photonics industry in Hong Kong. ?From an investor?s point of view, expanding in Hong Kong made sense. Hong Kong is the best entry point to the Mainland China for photonics company intending to develop an integrated R&D, manufacturing and marketing business model. Additionally, Hong Kong has numerous advantages over other competing cities, such as free port status and a well-established financial and legal infrastructure,?he said.

Specialising in the design and production of high-power optical amplifiers and light sources, the company currently has more than 12 staff members in Hong Kong, and is planning to hire more as the business activities grow.

According to the President of Amonics, Dr Ray Wai-Sing Man, the Hong Kong operation would be strategically important to the company, both in terms of business development and R&D. ?For design and technology-based industries such as Amonics, Hong Kong offers the optimal combination of R&D efficiency and manufacturing cost-effectiveness,? he said.

The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr John Rutherford, congratulated Amonics on its expansion in Hong Kong.

?It is extremely encouraging when we see high tech operations expanding their business in Hong Kong as it is evidence that we have a great deal to offer such companies. Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks where Amonics is based provides world-class facilities and infrastructure and there is a ready availability of professional talent to foster and drive technological development. Our legal system also provides a high level of IP protection for technology innovators and designers. We look forward to working closely with Amonics as it continues to develop in Asia from its base here,?Mr Rutherford said.

Amonics Ltd is an industry specialist in the design and production of high-power optical amplifiers and light sources. Amonics has recently delivered 10 Gigabit (10,000 Megabit) optical networks transmission products to its customers in Japan. This new product will complement optical amplifiers offered by Amonics and strengthen the company for OEM/ODM photonics business. The company offers custom-making services, which include producing equipment according to buyers designs and specifications, and assembling components. It also designs education packages for institutes and research laboratories. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.amonics.com.

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. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, June 1, 2005

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