OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/08/14 -- Export Development Canada (EDC) today announced it has provided more than EUR 180 M in financing to Spain's Telefonica to make it easier for Telefonica to buy products and services from Alcatel Lucent (ALU).
ALU, the French-owned telecommunications equipment company, has operations in a number of Canadian cities focusing on research and development, sales, and customer service.
The size and scope of ALU's Canadian operations make it a strategic partner for EDC thanks to their strong exports and their history of helping some of their Canadian suppliers grow into dynamic exporters, to the benefit of the broader Canadian telecom industry.
"EDC's financing will not only help ALU grow its business with Telefonica, but it will also help open the door for Canadian companies to enter the supply chains of both telecommunications giants," said Stephen Wilhelm, Regional Vice President for Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, EDC.
"Alcatel-Lucent plays an important role in the Canadian information and communications technology sector, creating jobs and contributing to the growth of Canada's expertise within the sector."
By growing its business with Telefonica, ALU is strengthening its relationship with one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, with operations in 24 countries and a customer base of over 315 million subscribers.
Spanish and Canadian companies undertake a good deal of business, reaching CAD 2.61 B in 2013 with a concentration in sectors related to information and communications technology, aerospace and extractive.
EDC has been providing financing to Telefonica since 2006 as they bought more and more from Canadian-based companies.
Approximately 250 Canadian companies used EDC's services to conclude more than CAD 550 M in trade with Spanish companies in 2013.
About Telefonica
Founded in 1924, Telefonica is one of the largest telecommunications companies worldwide, headquartered in Madrid, Spain. They have operations in 24 countries and a customer base of over 315 million subscribers. Telefonica is a wholly listed company, and its capital is traded on the Spanish Stock Exchanges (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those of London, New York, Lima and Buenos Aires.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent is at the forefront of global communications, providing products and innovations in IP and cloud networking, as well as ultra-broadband fixed and wireless access to service providers and their customers, and to enterprises and institutions throughout the world.
Alcatel Lucent innovations have resulted in our Group being recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Top 100 Global Innovator, as well as being named by MIT Technology Review as amongst 2012's Top 50 "World's Most Innovative Companies".
With revenues of Euro 14.4 billion in 2013, Alcatel-Lucent is listed on the Paris and New York Stock Exchanges. The company is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris, offices in Ottawa.
About EDC
EDC is Canada's export credit agency, offering innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC's knowledge and partnerships are used by more than 7,400 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year. EDC is financially self-sustaining and a recognized leader in financial reporting and economic analysis.
Contacts:
Export Development Canada
Phil Taylor
(613) 598-2904
ptaylor@edc.ca