Huawei announces its investment in Ottawa ahead of schedule during Mayor Jim Watson's visit to Shanghai operations

Huawei has invested over $80m in Canadian R&D centre since opening in 2010, exceeding initial commitment

SHANGHAI, China, Oct. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced that Huawei's investment its Canadian Research Centre in Kanata, Ontario has already surpassed initial five year commitments made by the company in 2010. The announcement was made in in conjunction with a visit by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and delegates from the City of Ottawa's trade mission to China

"We are pleased to announce today that since officially opening Huawei's Canada Research Centre in 2010, Huawei has directly invested over $80m in research and development in the facility," said Huawei Canada President Sean Yang. "This continued investment in the Canada Research Centre reinforces our belief that Canada and the Ottawa Region remain one of the strongest markets in the world for innovative technology development."

In October 2010 - supported by a $6.5m Strategic Jobs and Infrastructure Grant from the Province of Ontario - Huawei committed to invest $67.5m and create 157 new jobs in the facility by the end of 2015.  In just three years, Huawei has already exceeded the committed monetary investment in R&D, and it is expected to achieve job commitments made by mid-2014.  In less than three years, the facility has created more than 125 new leading-edge engineering jobs, and has become the global hub for Huawei's research efforts in advanced 5G technology.

"We are very pleased that Huawei continues to invest and expand their research operations in Ottawa," said Mayor Watson.  "As we complete our trade mission, Huawei stands as a shining example for other Chinese companies as to the skilled technology workforce that exists in our region, and the benefits that can come by investing in Ottawa."

About Huawei and Huawei Canada
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, we have established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. We are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 150 countries, serving more than one third of the world's population.  Huawei Canada now employs 450 people, including over 200 people at the Canada Research and Development Centre in Kanata, Ontario, and is proud to be an important contributor to Canada's wireless communications and ICT industry.

Image with caption: "Sean Yang, President of Huawei Canada leads Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson on a site tour of Huawei's global R&D facility in Shanghai as part of the City of Ottawa's trade mission to China. To date, Huawei has invested over $80m in its Canadian R&D centre since it opened in 2010. (CNW Group/Huawei)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131021_C5618_PHOTO_EN_32288.jpg

SOURCE: Huawei