Levono, China Merchants Group to seek deals at event

Major Chinese computer-maker Lenovo has announced plans to enhance its technological cooperation with BRICS-based companies to explore new opportunities in the software and IT equipment market.

"Competition in the information industry is very fierce. Together, we expect to innovate in more key technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing," said Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo's chairman and CEO.

The tech giant is also willing to take its advanced technology abroad, for example products related to intelligent manufacturing, to help promote local companies' digitalization, he said. Lenovo already has an established market presence in BRICS countries, with its personal computer ranking No 1 by sales in Russia from April 2016 to March 2017, giving it 23 percent of the market share. Its smartphones ranked within the top three in Brazil, India and Russia.

The company has four factories in India and Brazil, which together can produce more than 28 million pieces of intelligent equipment every year, with a combined output value of more than $4.5 billion.

Since India has become the third-largest market for smartphones, the company is determined to establish close ties with native companies and skilled workers to maintain a long-term competitive advantage, Yang said. The company's Indian factory's production lines went into operation in 2015. "We also stress the model of localization, to contribute to the economic development of those countries," he added. Lenovo's factories in BRICS countries has offered about 20,000 job opportunities for local people, according to Yang.

Many Indian college students work at Lenovo's factory. They have direct access to the senior managers to give advice or make complaints, Yang said.

"For example, they suggested installing a big screen to show the test schedule of all the personal computers, and we took their advice."

From April 2016 to March 2017, Lenovo's business in BRICS countries contributed 45 percent to its gross revenue, according to Yang.

"The cooperation has proven successful and I believe there is great potential for the future," he said.

Lenovo will attend the upcoming BRICS Business Forum, held from Sept 3 to 4 in Xiamen in East China's Fujian province, at the ninth BRICS Summit.

Yang said: "I'm looking forward to the meeting, which will bring new opportunities for international enterprises like Lenovo, especially in terms of further collaboration in innovative information technology."

China's State-owned China Merchants Group said it will promote its investments in construction and management of BRICS infrastructure projects at the forum.

The company will continue to launch infrastructure-related projects, especially in Brazil's and Russia's ports and cross-border economic zones, said Li Jianhong, chairman of China Merchants Group.

"We are looking forward to a win-win result, since the local governments have shown support in terms of attracting foreign investment," Li said.