The cutting edge of Asia (hktdc.com)


	(Left) Vice President of Asia Pacific at Research In Motion, Norm Lo, with InvestHK’s John Rutherford. RIM has decided to upgrade the company’s HK presence to regional headquarters

Canada-based Research In Motion (RIM) announced it has expanded its Hong Kong office as part of a major push into the Asia Pacific region.

The office will serve as regional headquarters to assist Research In Motion as well as its partners in Asia Pacific, in markets such as Greater China, South Korea, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

“Hong Kong boasts a superb business network, advanced infrastructure, and a highly skilled labour force, making it an ideal location to base our Asia Pacific operations,” said Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific at Research In Motion.

"There is significant potential here in Asia Pacific and the opening of our expanded Hong Kong office will help us address the increasing opportunities that are being generated in existing and new markets.”

Ideal location

According to Mr Lo, Hong Kong already occupies a special place in RIM’s history, because Hutchison, now 3 Hong Kong was the first carrier to introduce BlackBerry to Asia Pacific. The company currently works with over 25 carriers in 16 markets in Asia Pacific. As part of the company’s expansion, it will add approximately 10 more carrier partners in the region by the end of this year.

“Hong Kong not only boasts a superb business network, legal system, advanced ICT infrastructure, and a highly skilled labour force, it is also the gateway to mainland China, which offers significant opportunity for growth,” said Mr Lo. “For all these reasons, Hong Kong is an ideal location for RIM’s regional headquarters.”

John Rutherford, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong said RIM’s expansion is a strong endorsement of Hong Kong’s business environment. “RIM’s expansion will enrich our technology sectors and enhance our overall competitiveness,” he said.

Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM).