Cornerstone Tenants For Phase Z.Ro Announced

Cornerstone Tenants For Phase Z.Ro Announced

Two cornerstone tenants have been announced for Trade New Zealand's presence in Phase Z.ro Technology Park in Singapore.

The tenants are the Auckland University of Technology, and Synergy International Limited.

The New Zealand Technology Centre within Phase Z.ro Technology Park offers companies in the technology sectors access to services to assist them to cost effectively develop markets in the South East Asian region. The first of several proposed Government-supported “beachheads” into overseas markets, Phase Z.ro is being facilitated by Trade New Zealand.

The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is the first university to commit to using the services offered in the New Zealand Technology Centre. AUT runs one of New Zealand's largest business incubators, containing 12 start-up IT based companies, from its Technology Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

Professor Philip Sallis, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Development) at AUT has visited Phase Z.ro on two occasions.

"This is a tremendous opportunity, not just for the University but for New Zealand as we move our technology into Asian markets whilst learning from the considerable marketing experience of Asian exporters. Singapore is well-placed to provide us with a regional beachhead into other international companies that are represented there.
"The possibilities here are limited only by our own vision. We already have synergies developing between our business incubators and the businesses being nurtured in Singapore. This will be an important entry into new markets and will allow for new research initiatives for all concerned - a classic win/win situation.”

AUT Technology Park is now putting together an export cluster of businesses to visit Phase Z.ro in the next few weeks, with the aim of using it as a base to undertake further product development and to help break into new markets.
Wellington-based Synergy International Limited specialises in professional management consulting, creative web and multimedia design and the delivery of intelligent technology solutions internationally. The company is committed to its existing customers in Singapore, and has established an office in the New Zealand Technology Centre at Phase Z.ro.
Singapore-based Trade New Zealand Trade Commissioner Rob Skinner says the park was initiated after it became obvious that while companies were getting close to winning big contracts, a lack of local presence was inhibiting their progress.

"Phase Z.ro is intended for companies that have obtained market interest, yet have not fully capitalised on it - often due to the lack of a physical presence,” he says

Mr Skinner says having a physical presence is not restricted to renting temporary office space. Trade New Zealand has designed a suite of services for Phase Z.ro that can cater to the varying life cycles

of exporters in the market. Companies using Phase Z.ro will also have access to a shared business development manager, who can act as an agent when required, mail collection services, or fax and telephone answering services if companies do not initially want to rent a more permanent space.

“It’s a real challenge for businesses to decide when is the right time to invest in placing staff offshore, and in many cases, a fully-manned office is not necessary at first but other services that ‘keep the embers warm’ with business contacts are,” he says.

“Being part of the Phase Z.ro project and working with Trade New Zealand cuts the risks and costs involved in entering a new market. Once in the market, companies can establish which development and distribution model will suit them best, and use this presence to show their commitment to the market – an important part of doing business in Asia.

Phase Z.ro is part of a larger innovation centre called One North, being developed by the Jurong Town Corporation.

ENDS

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