Pa. Gov. Ridge Opens New Marconi Communications
Operation During South American Trade Mission
Pittsburgh-Based Technology Leader Expands Latin American
Presence, Supports Job Growth in Pennsylvania
Promotes PA Firms During Speech to American Chamber of Commerce
Discusses Potential Educational Exchanges Between Pennsylvania and Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge today helped a major Pennsylvania employer expand into the rapidly growing technology market of Latin America. The Governor cut the ribbon officially opening Marconi Communications' new Buenos Aires office -- dramatically expanding the company's reach into Latin America's "Southern Cone" of business: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
"Marconi is one of Pennsylvania's most exciting new companies -- a high- tech Pittsburgh powerhouse already employing nearly 1,500 people, with plans to grow even larger," Gov. Ridge said. "Today's opening here in Buenos Aires means that Marconi can reach a broader international market -- creating more demand for the products the company engineers and designs at its campus in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This is yet another example of how operating in a global economy means more and better jobs for Pennsylvanians."
All Latin American countries will begin deregulating the telecommunications business infrastructure. In Argentina, for example, data and national and international long-distance telephone services already are open to private companies. However, the entire deregulation process still is wrapping up, with the basic telephony market the last to open its doors to private companies. This creates new and exciting markets for Marconi.
"With Gov. Ridge being a well-known champion of opportunity and expansion for Pennsylvania's high-tech sector, we are excited to have him assist us in officially opening the Marconi Buenos Aires facility," said Bill Bridgwater, President, Americas, Marconi. "This expansion not only allows us to better service and sell to the important Southern Cone marketplace in South America, but also creates even greater demand for the Marconi products and services we engineer and develop at our Warrendale headquarters and other United States locations."
In April, Gov. Ridge announced Marconi Communications' plans to expand its world headquarters near Pittsburgh, creating about 1,000 new jobs. During his European trade mission to Germany and the United Kingdom in September 1999, Gov. Ridge met with Marconi plc Chief Executive George Simpson and closed the deal on Marconi's expansion in Pennsylvania. Less than two months after that mission, Marconi Communications announced it would locate its world headquarters in Warrendale, Allegheny County, at the former campus of FORE Systems.
And, just last month, Gov. Ridge became the first Governor from outside of New York to open the Nasdaq Stock Market, when he was invited to help Marconi list its shares on the market.
Marconi is a global provider of broadband solutions that helps companies and service providers plan, build and operate its voice, video and data networks. Marconi has customers throughout the world, using Marconi's optical, switching and access solutions through telecommunications carriers, Internet Service Providers, large enterprise businesses, government agencies and leading universities.
Marconi plc is a global communications and information-technology company with 49,000 employees worldwide and sales in more than 100 countries. It supplies broadband solutions and key technologies and services for the Internet. Marconi plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq under the symbol MONI.
Also today, Gov. Ridge was the featured speaker at Argentina's American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) -- promoting Pennsylvania to this powerful association. Argentina's AmCham was founded in 1918 to represent the U.S. business community in Argentina. U.S. companies have been the leading investors in Argentina throughout the last decade of the 20th century. Together, AmCham members produce more than $33 billion of Argentina's annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every year.
"Pennsylvania refuses to be outworked when it comes to trade," Gov. Ridge said. "That's why I'm here today, accompanied by leaders of 40 companies -- the largest trade delegation in Pennsylvania history!
"I believe our 40 companies match up very well with the needs of Argentina.
"Argentina is No. 1 in health-care expenditures in Latin America. And your medical equipment market is estimated to be growing at a rate as high as 10 percent. We specialize in medical products.
"Several Argentine pipelines are in the planning stage or under construction. They will eventually export natural gas to Argentina's neighbors. We specialize in energy.
"Your telecommunications market was one of the first in Latin America to be privatized, creating countless economic opportunities. We specialize in telecommunications and information technology.
"Anytime one of your companies wants to come to Pennsylvania, the door's open. Just come right in."
With exports valued at $130 million in 1999, Argentina ranks as Pennsylvania's 21st-largest trading partner. In addition to being the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is the industrial, political and cultural center of the country.
Finally, Gov. Ridge this afternoon met with Ambassador Teresa Anchorena, Argentina's Special Representative for International Cultural Affairs, to discuss existing and potential educational exchanges between Pennsylvania and Argentina, as well as other possible cultural partnerships. Three university alliances already exist. Clarion University and Muhlenberg College already have exchange programs with one Argentine university. And Carnegie Mellon has an alliance with a prestigious Argentine Foundation.
Gov. Ridge will continue his South American trade mission on Monday, as the mission moves from Argentina to Santiago, Chile. His agenda includes meetings with South America's largest commercial steamship line and executives from the Port of Valparaiso to strengthen Pennsylvania's relationship with Chilean shippers and exporters, and meetings with the U.S. Ambassador to Chile and other government officials.
The mission website can be accessed through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us or directly at www.dced.state.pa.us.
CONTACT: Tom Charles, Deputy Press Sec. of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, 717-783-1116, or Rich Borden of Marconi, 724-742-7716.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
-0- 12/01/2000
/CONTACT: Tom Charles, Deputy Press Sec. of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, 717-783-1116, or Rich Borden of Marconi, 724-742-7716/
/Web site: state.pa.us /
/Web site: dced.state.pa.us /
(MONI)
CO: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor; Marconi plc; American Chamber of
Commerce ST: Pennsylvania, Argentina IN: CPR MLM SU:
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