Huawei bets big on UK

Chinese networking giant set to pump £1.3bn into economy over the next five years as it sets sights on rapid growth

Chinese giant Huawei is set to invest £1.3bn in the UK over the next five years as it looks to rapid growth.

The growing networking vendor already employs 800 people in the UK and is looking to increase its UK workforce to more than 1,500 by 2017.

As part of the commitment, Huawei will invest in a number of global centres of technical and financial excellence in the UK, working with all the telecoms operators and broadband service providers and helping to fulfil fixed and mobile broadband aspirations across the UK.

Ren Zhengfei, founder and chief executive of Huawei, said: “The UK is one of the most important European markets in which Huawei has invested. Over the past 11 years we have found its government to be transparent, efficient and practical. The UK is an open market, which welcomes overseas investment."

He added: “The UK is a centre of innovation, has a highly skilled workforce, and is respected internationally for the quality of its legal and educational systems. It is for these reasons we have selected the UK as the location for a number of our centres of excellence. I would like to thank our UK customers and partners, as well as the British government, for their continued support."

Prime minister David Cameron added: "The investment announced by Huawei demonstrates once again that the UK is open for business. I welcome this and I want to see more companies invest in the UK as we work to achieve sustainable and balanced growth within our economy.

“The British government values the important relationship with China. Both countries have much to offer each other and the business environment we are creating in the UK allows us to maximise this potential."