Huawei Hails Thailand as Regional Hub

Source: Thai News Service, Thailand

Huawei Technologies is forging ahead with expansion of its new enterprise business to ride emerging-market growth.

The Chinese ICT provider uses Thailand as its regional headquarters for enterprise business in Southeast Asia.

Yang Hua, president of enterprise business at Huawei Technologies in Southeast Asia, calls Thailand a top-three priority market for enterprise business in terms of revenue contribution in Asia, next to Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Since setting up the local unit in March, Mr. Yang says Huawei has high hopes for the local enterprise business and foresees growth in line with revenue targets.

Huawei is aiming for global enterprise revenue to double to US$4 billion this year over last year. Its global consolidated revenue is expected to reach $30 billion.

Gartner Group, the global IT industry research firm, forecasts that the enterprise networking market in Thailand will be worth $558 million this year.

Despite the impact of floods, Mr. Yang said Huawei could achieve its enterprise revenue target for the full year. The company earlier announced that it expected enterprise revenue of $40 million.

However, Mr. Yang said that Huawei would adjust its business plan for next year to cope with the country's anticipated slowing economy.

He cited a study naming Thailand and Hong Kong as some of the biggest spenders on ICT in the region.

“This is why we chose Thailand as our regional headquarters,” he said, “including 120 employees plus a regional training centre.”

Huawei is sponsoring a recovery assistance programme worth 10 million baht to provide Ethernet LAN switch equipment to seven flood-hit industrial estates free of charge. The company’s distributor, Value Systems Co, will provide inspection and equipment installation.