Joint Venture Between Leading CRM Providers in China and Japan Expected to
Create Synergy and Rapid Growth with New CRM JV Operation Center to Be Based
in Shanghai - China's New Financial Services Center
BEIJING, Jan. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- PacificNet, Inc. (Nasdaq: PACT), a
leading provider of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), mobile internet,
e-commerce and gaming technology in China, today announced it has reached an
agreement with Japan-based Bellsystem24 (http://www.bell24.co.jp), Japan's
largest telemarketing call center services provider, to set up a joint venture
providing CRM consulting services in Shanghai, China. Bellsystem24 is Japan's
largest telemarketing, call center, and CRM service company providing a
variety of services for pursuing one-to-one marketing, such as call center,
marketing solutions, media entertainment solutions, as well as pharmaceutical
and medical support services. Bellsystem24 is based in Tokyo, Japan, and has
over 5,000 clients, 27,348 communication service representatives and 33
offices throughout Japan.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070110/LNW003 )
According to the terms of the agreement, a new joint venture company will
be formed with PacificNet owning 40% equity stake and Bellsystem24 owning 60%
of the new joint venture company to be named BELL-PACT Consulting Limited. The
aggregate investments in this joint venture will be made in a phased manner
and may reach USD$643,000. The joint venture will principally offer CRM call
center consulting and training services, technical and business consulting
services, network product sales, software development, system integration, as
well as value-added services and other relevant services.
Commenting on the deal, Tony Tong, Chairman and CEO of PacificNet, said,
"I'm very pleased to see the establishment of this long-term and comprehensive
partnership with Bellsystem24. We have worked closely with Bellsystem24 during
the past years and this agreement represents a significant step in our
business relationship. The joint venture aims to expand the company's
penetration of China's huge CRM call center market. This strategic alliance
with Bellsystem24 enables the two companies jointly to present a wider range
of product offerings to the Chinese market. Our customers will benefit from
the reinforced size and scale of the combined entity together with our proven
quality of service. The joint venture enhances the capabilities of PACT while
at the same time strengthens the competitiveness in our CRM services. In
merging, we have fulfilled one of the strategic objectives of PacificNet and
are well positioned to be one of the leading CRM providers in Asia."
Yukio Sonoyama, President and CEO of Bellsystem24, said, "Bellsystem24 has
cultivated the CRM know-how over twenty years in Japan. It is very significant
for our business growth to develop our know-how in the dramatically
flourishing Chinese market. I feel very convinced of the success in this
partnership with PacificNet, which has achieved admirable business results in
China. The Chinese market is expected to make further growth, and we do not
have to stick only to any short-term goals. Thus, leveraging the chemistry of
two companies, we would like to expand the markets in diverse sectors,
especially telecommunications and finance that Bellsystem24 is good at, by
setting mid-term and long-term goals."
"We believe that there are compelling synergies between the two
companies," said Victor Tong, President of PacificNet. "Bellsystem24's large
base of Japanese clients is a good target for us, especially for those with
Chinese operations. With China's huge domestic market, many Japanese companies
are rapidly opening operations. The combination of our infrastructure in China
and Bellsystem24's experience and relationships in Japan should enable us to
improve our position to capture a greater portion of this growing market. It
is always our aim to create good relationships between our clients and their
users. We believe, with over 16 years' CRM and call center experiences in Hong
Kong and China, that our new partnership is positively reckoned to capture
this rapidly growing demand for CRM and outsourcing services in China."
About Bellsystem24 Inc.
Established in 1982, Bellsystem24 (http://www.bell24.com) has become the
largest telemarketing call center services company in Japan, with over 5,000
clients, 27,348 communication service representatives and 33 offices in Japan.
Bellsystem24 has built a client base of multinational firms and industry
leaders by developing and nurturing long-term relationships. Bellsystem24's
commitment to quality, technological innovation, and value-added services has
made it the leading provider of outsourced customer care and marketing
solutions in Japan.
Bellsystem24 focuses on developing long-term strategic relationships with
clients in customer-intensive industries, including telecommunications, cable,
broadband, satellite broadcasting, Internet services, technology, and
financial services. Through a nationwide network of contact centers utilizing
a unique blend of one-on-one marketing media, knowledge-based tools, advanced
technology, and expert recruiting, staffing, training, and certifications,
Bellsystem24 has fostered a leading position in the customer care industry.
About PacificNet
PacificNet Inc. (http://www.PacificNet.com) is a leading provider of
Customer Relationship Management (CRM), mobile internet, e-commerce and gaming
technology in China. PacificNet's clients include the leading telecom
companies, banks, insurance, travel, marketing and business services companies
and telecom consumers in Greater China. PacificNet's corporate clients include
China Telecom, China Mobile, Unicom, PCCW, Hutchison Telecom, Bell24,
Motorola, Nokia, SONY, TCL, Huawei, American Express, Citibank, HSBC, Bank of
China, Bank of East Asia, DBS, TNT, Hong Kong Government, and leading hotel --
casinos in Macau and Asia. PacificNet employs over 1,400 staff in its various
subsidiaries throughout China with offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shenzhen,
Guangzhou, Macau, and branch offices in 28 provinces in China and is
headquartered in Beijing and Hong Kong.
PacificNet Epro (http://www.EproTel.com.hk) is the industry leader and
leading provider of outsourced call center, telemarketing, CRM, VAS and IVR
services with over 15 years of field experience in greater China in the areas
of outsourced call center services, training and consulting services, and call
center management systems.
Safe Harbor Statement
This Company's announcement contains forward-looking statements. We may
also make written or oral forward-looking statements in our periodic reports
to the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, etc., in our annual report to
shareholders, in our proxy statements, in press releases and other written
materials and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees
to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including
statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements.
These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and
therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking
statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a
number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially
from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, PacificNet's historical and
possible future losses, limited operating history, uncertain regulatory
landscape in China, and fluctuations in quarterly and annual operating
results. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in
PacificNet's Form 10K and other filings with the SEC.
