High-tech company establishes regional base in HK

Hong Kong's position as a platform for technology companies to expand overseas was strengthened today (March 18) with the announcement by top Chinese hi-tech company, NUCTECH, that it will establish a regional office in the city.

NUCTECH Company Limited, one of the world's largest suppliers of container inspection systems, was originally established by Tsinghua University in Beijing. It is a leader in research and development of X-ray inspection technology.

The Hong Kong office, the first regional office to be set up by the company outside the Mainland, will co-ordinate businesses with NUCTECH's overseas liaison offices and agencies around the world.

At today's opening ceremony, the Executive Vice President of NUCTECH and its Hong Kong Director, Dr Chen Zhiqiang, said the company would make the best use of Hong Kong's advantages in every respect to further expand its overseas market.

"We firmly believe that NUCTECH will become one of the top high-tech companies in the world," he said.

The award-winning company has the largest professional X-ray inspection system manufacturing base in the world.

Founded in 1997, NUCTECH has been focusing on developing, manufacturing and marketing civil security applications of nuclear technology and related new high-tech products.

As a spin-off from Tsinghua University, the company is able to leverage the university's nuclear technology and scientific research as well as a pool of experts engaged in related R&D. Its inspection systems have been applied in different areas, including customs, aviation security inspection, industrial manufacturing, medical devices, environmental protection and food processing.

The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr John Rutherford, said Hong Kong offered unique advantages for potential Mainland companies planning to develop their businesses in the global arena.

"NUCTECH's strategic decision also reflects their clear understanding of the benefits of doing business in Hong Kong," he said.

Ends/Thursday, March 18, 2004