A Finland-based telecommunications company is expanding its regional headquarters in Hong Kong for development of business in the Asia Pacific region.

The company will set up a wireless applications development centre in Hong Kong's Cyberport. Its application for tenancy has been approved by the Committee on Admission of Cyberport Office Tenants.

Sonera SmartTrust Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive security and solutions for mobile communications and Internet e-services.

It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonera Corporation, the largest mobile communications operator in Finland. It has extensive mobile communications businesses across Europe and is listed on NASDAQ and the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SmartTrust, Mr Anders Ingestrom said today (August 21): "The Asia Pacific region business represents a major success for us and an even more important opportunity in the future for SmartTrust."

"Mobile operators in the Asia Pacific region will benefit from our solutions, and we believe our Hong Kong office at Cyberport is an important part of our network in the region to support them."

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin said: "SmartTrust's expansion of its regional headquarters in Hong Kong illustrates Hong Kong's unrivalled location for multinational companies to manage their growing business in the Asia Pacific region.

"With the issue of 3G telecommunications licenses in Hong Kong, there will be many more business opportunities for companies like Sonera SmartTrust to invest in Hong Kong and introduce new mobile communications services and applications.

"We welcome SmartTrust moving into Cyberport which is Hong Kong's IT flagship. The clustering of top quality companies and professionals specialised in IT, telecommunications and multimedia industries will create synergy effect to the tenant companies and to Hong Kong as a whole."

Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government agency charged with attracting foreign direct investment into the territory. It assists foreign companies in their move to Hong Kong.

Invest Hong Kong offers solution-oriented investment promotion, facilitation and aftercare services to ensure that companies have all the support required to establish or expand their operations in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Southeast Asia.

End/Tuesday, August 21, 2001

• Invest Hong Kong