$10m deal boosts SA's position as global ICT leader

The company has invested more than $10 million to acquire the Adelaide mediaport facilities of New Skies Network Australia Pty Ltd from a Netherlands-based satellite communications company, and plans to use the new assets for a major expansion of its business and an export push, resulting in the creation of new jobs in South Australia's growing ICT industry.

Multiemedia's Chief Executive Officer Adrian Ballintine says the decision to make the investment was made more attractive by the potential the Adelaide facility has to take advantage of export opportunities from South Australia for satellite communications and leading edge media port services.

"South Australia is ideal for providing these services, and has an abundant supply of the support networks needed from within its well established ICT clusters," said Mr Ballintine.

"By every measure, it is an attractive location from which to do business. Importantly, the state has proven to be a centre of excellence for the ICT industry, and Multiemedia is proud to become part of that and hopes to make a long term contribution."

Speaking from Dubai, Industry and Trade Minister Paul Holloway says the S.A. Government office in the U.A.E. has been working closely with NewSat to take advantage of business opportunities.

"The acquisition makes Multiemedia one of the largest mediaport operators in the Southern Hemisphere, and, importantly, returns the New Skies Network company to Australian ownership. IT and ICT are among the fastest growing sectors of the South Australian economy, and significant investments such as this enhance our global credentials and creates jobs for more South Australians."

Paul Seaton, the General Manager of NewSat's Dubai based office, says the company has already been successful in winning a number of major projects in the Middle East and African regions.

"Those contracts involve servicing major government and aid agency contracts, media broadcasters, corporations as well as small and medium sized businesses," said Mr Seaton.

"NewSat has also taken a leading role in the redevelopment work in Iraq by providing much needed communication services to international and local organizations and companies alike. The South Australian facility will become a key link in providing these services."