PacificNet (PACT.PK) has opened a joint venture with Bellsystem24, Japan's largest telemarketing call center services provider, in Shanghai.

The two parties signed the joint venture agreement in January 2007, under which it indicated that PacificNet owned 40% equity stake and Bellsystem24 owned 60% of the new joint venture company to be named BELL-PACT Consulting Limited. The aggregate investments in this joint venture are expected to amount to US$643,000. The joint venture will principally offer CRM call center consulting and training services, technical and business consulting services, network product sales, software development, system integration, as well as value-added services and other relevant services.

"We are excited to be having an opening ceremony only 6 months after signing the joint venture agreement. We appreciate the hard work of Bellsystem24's management team as well as to those who have helped make this happen so quickly and go so smoothly," said Tony Tong, chairman and CEO of PacificNet.

Bellsystem24 is one of Japan's largest telemarketing, call center and CRM firms providing a variety of services for pursuing one-to-one marketing, such as call center, marketing solutions, media entertainment solutions, as well as pharmaceutical and medical support services.

Yukio Sonoyama, president and CEO of Bellsystem24 said, "Bellsystem24 has cultivated the CRM know-how over twenty years in Japan. It is very significant for our business growth to develop our know-how in the dramatically flourishing Chinese market. I feel very convinced of the success in this partnership with PacificNet, which has achieved admirable business results in China. The Chinese market is expected to continue growing and we aren't restricted by any short-term goals thus leveraging the chemistry of the two companies. We would like to expand the markets in diverse sectors, especially telecommunications and finance which Bellsystem24 has perfected, by setting mid-term and long-term goals."