Teledata gears up for expansion in RP market

Source: Manila Bulletin - Saturday, March 27

SINGAPORE - Teledatacom Philippines, Inc., a subsidiary of Teledata (Singapore) Limited, a leading regional IT systems integrator and communications services company listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange, is stepping up efforts to strengthen its presence in the Philippines.

Against an improving information and communications technology (ICT) landscape in the Philippines, Teledatacom plans to tap on the increased business opportunities through the provision of more value-added solutions, strengthening of technology alliances, as well as strategic mergers and acquisitions.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the total IT market spending in the Philippines is estimated to increase by 7.6% to reach $3.14 billion by the end of 2010, and would succeed in regaining a 9.1% percent compounded annual growth rate by 2013. On the telecommunications front, spending is expected to record 7.7% growth in 2010, following the decline of 2.9% in year-end 2009.

"We have identified Philippines as one of the regions where we need to strengthen our presence. One of our key strategies is to increase our portfolio of products and service, so as to provide more value-added solutions to our customers.

Teledata enjoys strong and strategic alliances with leading technology companies such as Avaya, Alcatel-Lucent, Verint and Altitude, with recent addition of partners such as Viascope and Datacom Systems. We will continue to strengthen our existing alliances, and actively sign up more technology partners who can offer innovative solutions," says Christopher Pan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Teledata.

Besides growing its business organically, Teledatacom is on the lookout for strategic investments that are complementary and synergistic with its existing business. Its objective is to acquire companies that can enhance its products and service offerings, expand its customer base and grow its market share in the Philippines.

"Earlier this year, Teledata secured an equity line of credit of S$35 million with GEM Global Yield Fund and GEM Investment Advisors, Inc., who are members of the Global Emerging Markets Group, a US$3.4 billion alternative investment group. With this equity line of credit, we will have the flexibility to capitalise on opportunities to further grow our business and strengthen our position in the market," concludes Pan.