Business Activities News
- BT to invest in two new centers
Date: 7-Sep-2007 Sources: (Shenzhen Daily)
BT Group Plc. plans to spend at least US$70 million over the next few years on two new research and technology hubs in China, Francois Barrault, chief executive of BT Global Services, said Thursday.
The British telecommunications company plans to set up a research and development center in Shanghai, which will focus on creating new products and services, and a technology and service center in the northeastern port city of Dalian.
The Dalian operation, which will develop software and provide support services for BT's customers across Asia, has already hired 60 people, the company said in a statement.
Barrault, who was speaking to reporters during a meeting of the World Economic Forum in Dalian, said investment in the two hubs could reach US$100 million. 'Right now, we are prepared today to invest US$70 million at least in the two centers,'he said.
BT was also open to the possibility of acquisitions to speed its expansion in China, Barrault said.
'When you arrive in a country, either you build the network, either you buy a company, either you sign a partnership. So, I'm looking at the three of them,'he said.
Describing growth prospects in China as huge, Barrault said: 'So I will not be surprised if at some point we do some M&A here.'
Sponsor Results:
