Global Procurement VP on Fact-finding Visit to New Zealand

Senior Executive team from Huawei HQ to seek opportunities with local ICT companies

NEW ZEALAND March 8, 2012 – Senior executives from Huawei’s Headquarters in Shenzhen, China, will make a visit to New Zealand next week to assess opportunities for New Zealand ICT companies to potentially work alongside the global telecommunications provider.

The three-day visit to Auckland and Wellington from 11 - 15 March will see the Huawei team – led by Vice President of Global Procurement, Mr Wu Kunhong – meet with leading New Zealand ICT companies to understand their products and services, and learn more about what they have to offer.

Mr Wu Kunhong is responsible for all strategy sourcing activities for Huawei globally, including supplier evaluation and qualification, supply performance management, business negotiation and supply relationship management. He also manages a CEG (Commodity Expert Group) organisation with over 300 buyers and TQC (Technology and Quality Control of Suppliers) around the world.

Huawei New Zealand CEO, Arthur Zhang says, “New Zealand is recognised worldwide as a leader in ICT technology and uptake, and the Huawei team is here to see the capability first hand and make a commercial assessment.”

The idea for the visit came out of a trade mission led by Trade Minister, Tim Groser, to China last year and is a joint initiative led by New Zealand Information and Communication Technologies Group (NZICT), New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Huawei New Zealand.

“The seniority of the Huawei team on the visit is an indication of the strengthening relationship between Huawei and New Zealand and the regard with which the New Zealand ICT industry is held,” says Mr Zhang.

NZICT CEO Candace Kinser says, “This is a great opportunity for New Zealand companies to present their wares to a significant global player in the market.”

“NZICT aspires to help kiwi technology businesses lift the country’s export earnings significantly over the coming years. Building on relationships and exploring global opportunities will be vital to this fulfilling this aspiration and it’s great to see Huawei taking a lead role,” says Kinser.

Pat English, NZTE’s Trade Commissioner in Guangzhou, says, “The ICT sector is one of New Zealand’s strongest sectors and our companies are well placed to respond to the opportunities arising from the rapid growth of China’s telecommunications and software industry. NZTE is working closely with these companies on a range of opportunities in the China market.”

Mr Zhang says several New Zealand ICT companies are already supplying Huawei with components and services, and the hope is that this visit will further grow these relationships.

About Huawei
Huawei is a leading telecoms solutions provider serving 45 of the world’s top 50 telecom operators. In New Zealand, Huawei employs more than 70 staff and works with all major operators. Huawei’s products and solutions have been deployed in over 100 countries and support the communications needs of one third of the world’s population. For more information, please visit: www.huawei.co.nz

About NZICT
NZICT is the information, communications and technology industry association representing New Zealand based companies and organisations intent on the growth and prosperity of the tech industry. With over 100 member organisations representing more than 20,000 employees, NZICT supports the industry thorough leadership in the areas of skills and talent growth, business development, export capabilities and linkages to government. For more information please visit www.nzict.org.nz

About NZTE
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is New Zealand's economic development and trade promotion agency. We help New Zealand businesses to grow bigger, better, faster in international markets.

ENDS

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