Innovation investment by Huawei in NZ

Huawei has announced it will invest in digital innovation in New Zealand.

The company will provide up to $400 million over five years to aid research and development.

Investments will include NZ$250 million in procurement from NZ companies, building a cloud data centre, opening an Innovation Lab at Victoria University of Wellington, building an Innovation Lab in Christchurch and expanding the Seeds for the Future University Student program to 100 ICT students.

“The depth of the investment will touch many areas of the economy and open up global opportunities for New Zealand. The initiatives that Huawei is committing to will also help strengthen our research and development activity and capability building in the digital and technological world,” said Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges.

“International connections are important if we are to be productive and competitive in the global marketplace. Having access to the resources and technology lifts our ability to be innovative, agile and productive. We have identified this as a priority in the business growth agenda.”

The government wants to attract quality international investment to get the growth needed to deliver more highly paid jobs for New Zealanders.

“New Zealand’s hi-tech sector is one of our fastest growing sectors. The government is investing in the sector through the $411 million Innovative New Zealand package, in order to lift total government investment in science and innovation to $1.6 billion by 2020,” said Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith.

“The establishment of another New Zealand-based cloud data centre will be a step forward for local companies and institutions looking to test new innovations on a locally based platform, while the expansion of the Seeds for the Future program will give 100 of New Zealand’s brightest ICT and engineering undergraduates the opportunity to learn offshore and bring those skills home.”

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/paisan191

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