To strengthen HP’s ability to serve the fast-growing Chinese market and accelerate economic development in West China, HP and China’s Chongqing Municipality today announced plans for an advanced manufacturing complex. HP plans to operate a 20,000-square-meter facility in Chongqing, where it will make state-of-the-art notebook and desktop PCs for customers in the world’s most populous country, according to the terms of a memorandum of understanding with the Chongqing Municipality. Manufacturing operations are expected to begin in 2010. When in full operation, the HP-managed plant is expected to have the capacity to meet market demand in Chongqing as well as other parts of China across government, public and retail sectors.

“Our vision of transforming Chongqing into China’s West IT center requires strong participation from the world’s most innovative and respected companies,” said Wang Hongju, mayor, Chongqing Municipality. “We welcome and support the HP venture, which will accelerate the development and bring new economic opportunity to an area previously untapped.”

“As the world’s leading PC maker, the world’s largest component buyer and a contributor to the Chinese economy since 1981, HP is proud to announce plans to expand our commitment to the Chinese marketplace,” said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. “We look forward to expanding opportunities for local talent in the heart of China to help us better serve the Chinese market for computing products and services. We thank the Chinese government for this opportunity to forge a closer partnership between Chongqing and HP.”