Compaq to invest $15 M in RP

Compaq Computer Corp. is set to invest at least $15 million (P600 million) for the establishment of a satellite telecom company center and other projects in the country this year.

Saroj Suraweera, Compaq vice president and general manager, enterprise solutions and service group, said $5 million (P200 million) while its partners will provide the remaining $10 million (P40 million).

Suraweera noted that since Filipinos are highly literate in information technology, Compaq has decided to make the Philippines as its center of operations in Asia Pacific.

Part of the investments, he said, will be used to create the telecom center which will serve as a facility for the deployment and testing of new applications in telecommunications such as business, operating and intelligent systems.

"What we're trying to do here is to emulate a telecom company. What will a telecom firm be at this time of rapid development in the industry? We want to answer that in this center," he explained.

Moreover, Suraweera said the company plans to develop Filipino "electronic business architects" who will plan and design opportunities for Compaq not only in the Philippines but in other markets in the region.

He said, Compaq will initially employ 25 Filipinos and train them to be solution architects.

Likewise, Suraweera said Compaq will be building Internet Data Centers (IDCs) which will help Filipino clients of Compaq migrate into electronic commerce.

"We have a solid business plan for them. We can plan, design, implement and even manage their e-businesses. We can provide them with everything from infrastructure to training," he continued.