MACROKIOSK Expands In China With Acquisition Of Two IGM Companies

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 - Mobile messaging technology enabler, Macro Kiosk Bhd (Macro Kiosk) is expanding its presence in the markets of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan with its recent acquisition of two companies from the IGM Group, an established mobile value-added services group.

After months of negotiations, the RM3.55 million deal was sealed with Macro Kiosk acquiring IGM Mobile China Ltd and IGM Mobile Guangzhou Ltd on February 27, chief executive officer of Macro Kiosk, Kenny Goh, told reporters here Thursday.

Macro Kiosk also took over a commercial agreement between IGM Asia Pacific Ltd and Macau mobile operator, Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de Macau S.A.R.L.

Goh said the strategic acquisitions, funded entirely by internally generated funds, immediately strengthened Macro Kiosk's links to mobile operators in the four markets.

The IGM group provides premium mobile community-based communications, entertainment and multimedia services to mobile network operators and mobile phone users in the form of technology platforms and value-added applications and content.

"We are talking about immense potential... with China having about 547 million mobile users, Hong Kong 11 million and Taiwan another 24 million," he said, adding that the company had invested over RM10 million for its operations in the region.

The acquisition of IGM Mobile China would also extend Macro Kiosk's reach to Taiwan which has ceased granting short codes that provide unparalleled connectivity and working rights with all the mobile operators in Taiwan.

He said demand for the company's services will also go up as businesses in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan were showing increasing interest in leveraging on short messaging services (SMS) technology as part of their business communications.

Macro Kiosk intends to launch services across China's 22 provinces thus allowing content providers unlimited access to China's mobile users.