BEIJING, Jun. 29 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- PacificNet, Inc. (Nasdaq: PACT), a leading provider of gaming technology, e-commerce, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) services in China, today announced that it is about to open the joint venture with Japan-based Bellsystem24 (http://www.bell24.co.jp), Japan's largest telemarketing call center services provider, on June 29 in Shanghai. The executives of PacificNet and Bellsystem24 will address the opening ceremony and many key customers from both sides will also be invited to attend.
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.
The two parties signed the joint venture agreement in January of 2007, under which it indicated that PacificNet owned 40% equity stake and Bellsystem24 owned 60% of the new joint venture company to be named BELL-PACT Consulting Limited. The aggregate investments in this joint venture are expected to amount to 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.
"We are excited to be having an opening ceremony only 6 months after signing the joint venture agreement. We appreciate the hard work of Bellsystem24's management team as well as to those who have helped make this happen so quickly and go so smoothly," said Tony Tong, Chairman and CEO of PacificNet. "We have worked closely with Bellsystem24 during the past years and the opening of the new company represents a significant step forward in our business relationship. The joint venture aims to expand the company's penetration into China's huge CRM call center market. This strategic alliance with Bellsystem24 enables the two companies 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 strengthening the competitiveness of 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 continue growing and we aren't restricted by any short-term goals thus leveraging the chemistry of the two companies. We would like to expand the markets in diverse sectors, especially telecommunications and finance which Bellsystem24 has perfected, 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 niche 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 of 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, Inc
PacificNet, Inc. (http://www.PacificNet.com) is a leading provider of gaming technology, e-commerce, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in China. PacificNet's gaming products are specially designed for Chinese and Asian gamers with focus on integrating localized Chinese and Asian themes and content, advanced graphics, digital sound effects and popular domestic music, with secondary bonus games and jackpots. PacificNet gaming products include: Multi-player Electronic Table Games - Baccarat, Sicbo, Fish-Prawn-Crab, and Roulette machines, Server-Based Games (SBG) with multiple client betting stations, slot and bingo machines, Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), Amusement With Prizes (AWP) machines, gaming cabinet and client/server system designs, online i-gaming software design, and multimedia entertainment kiosks. PacificNet's gaming clients include the leading hotels, casinos, and gaming operators in Macau, Asia, and Europe, while ecommerce and CRM clients include the leading telecom companies, banks, insurance, travel, marketing and business services companies and telecom consumers in Greater China such as 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, China and Hong Kong government. PacificNet employs about 1,200 staff in its various subsidiaries throughout China with offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Macau and Zhuhai China, USA, and the Philippines.
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. PacificNet Epro's TechnoSoft HRM Solution is a Human Resource Management information software for diversified businesses, such as banking and finance, public utility, trading, manufacturers, servicing and agencies, and transportation, etc. It can handle multi-companies and multi-departments while cost-center operations with facilities solving jobs of payroll accounting and data integration, personnel administration, human resources management, tax, banks, leaves, attendance and recruitment, etc. Personnel management reports such as staff turnover, age and services, salary analysis and other customized reports can also be easily prepared.
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.
Contact:
PacificNet USA office:
Jacob Lakhany, Tel: +1-605-229-6678
PacificNet Beijing office:
Ada Yu, Tel: +86 (10) 59225000
