Jobs milestone by international company reached
Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard today announced that EDS New Zealand had created 360 new jobs under its
Best Shore Programme, fulfilling its commitment to the government under a $1.5 million grant.
"EDS New Zealand has met its commitment to create these extra jobs within the timeframe agreed, demonstrating that the
government’s investment has been a sound one, and that this partnership has worked," Trevor Mallard said.
"The Labour-led government is committed to supporting business in New Zealand, and upskilling our workforce through
partnerships such as this. We have singled out the creative, biotechnology and information communications technology
industries as promising springboards for economic growth, and for lifting our productivity."
EDS New Zealand received NZ$1.5 million from Investment New Zealand's Strategic Investment Fund in March 2003 to help
consolidate some of its existing operations in Auckland and allow it to attract international business from EDS’s global
client network.
The government supported the Best Shore project because it offered a variety of benefits, including raising New
Zealand’s profile as an attractive place to invest, creation of new jobs, the potential to generate foreign exchange
earnings, giving New Zealand workers access to new skills and experience. "Not only has the project increased the number
of high value, high skill jobs but EDS New Zealand has also generated over $40 million in foreign exchange from this
project to date and attracted more than 20 international clients to New Zealand," Trevor Mallard said.
"The partnership has worked well because while EDS has expanded its Best Shore programme, New Zealanders have had the
opportunity to raise their skill levels and gain experience in a high tech global company.
“There will continue to be future, additional spill-over benefits from this project including a stronger local ICT
industry, increased export earnings and a sophisticated, skilled workforce," Trevor Mallard said.
Investment New Zealand (INZ) is the New Zealand government’s investment promotion agency. INZ is a specialist unit
within New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, New Zealand’s national economic development agency. INZ promotes New Zealand to
international investors by assisting them to explore investment opportunities, introducing them to potential business
partners, and providing a whole-of-government facilitation. INZ works with new investors as well as existing investors
looking to expand their New Zealand operations. INZ also assists New Zealand businesses with high-growth potential to
build relationships with international investors.
www.investmentnz.govt.nz
The Strategic Investment Fund is designed to supplement and facilitate investments that create either 200 new jobs
and/or attract $50 million in new investment.
EDS (NYSE: EDS) is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS
founded the information technology outsourcing industry more than 40 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of
information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services,
healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the
world. With US$20.7 billion in 2004 revenue, EDS is ranked 95th on the Fortune 500. Learn more at www.eds.com
EDS Corporation Best Shore programme relocates work between countries in order to achieve a high quality,
cost-competitive outcome for the client. EDS New Zealand is one of many EDS locations around the world accredited for
Best Shore work.