Huawei unveils massive R& D program in New Zealand to spur innovation
Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei announced on Tuesday that it is making a large investment in research and development ( R& D) in New Zealand.
The plans include the building of a cloud data center and establishment of innovation labs in Christchurch and Wellington, Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei said in a statement.
The company will spend NZ$ 400 million ($ 281.8 million) over five years on the investments, according to the New Zealand government.
Ren said that he had met with New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English on Tuesday to discuss information and communications technology ( ICT) infrastructure and digital transformation. He also outlined the company’s investment plan, including local procurement, R& D and cloud computing infrastructure initiatives.
“New Zealand’s open and fair trade environment, and its emphasis on developing new technology, facilitates our ongoing commitment,” Ren said in the statement.
“New Zealand has rich tourism re- sources, and highly developed agricultural and trade sectors. Digital transformation empowered by advanced ICT technology can enable New Zealand to become better connected with the world, and transform its traditional strengths into driving forces of economic growth,” he said.
Huawei will work with local partners to build a cloud data center and open an innovation lab at Victoria University of Wellington this year. The lab will focus on the use of big data, and how to maximize the potential of the Internet of Things through future technology.
Huawei will also seek new partnerships to establish an innovation lab in Christchurch. It will also enable 100 New Zealand undergraduate students to travel to China over the next five years to study.
The company will open a regional office in Wellington, purchase more goods and services locally, and help local businesses integrate into its global supply chain network. Huawei has provided much of the technology behind the New Zealand government’s ultra- fast broadband initiative since it entered the market in 2005.