Pingar unveils Chinese search engine

The Tauranga-based technology firm has successfully taken its "intelligent search engine" to the Chinese market.

The announcement of Pingar’s Chinese search platform coincides with today’s signing of the Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) between Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Pingar CEO Peter Wren-Hilton said, “We’re excited by the welcome we’ve received in Asia. Through workings with our Hong Kong partners we’ve identified key clients and demand for a Chinese version of the Pingar product. As such, we’re developing versions of the platform in both simplified and traditional Chinese, which is a major step for Pingar.”

Hong Kong is New Zealand’s ninth largest export trade market and worth approximately $823 million per year, Pingar has reported, adding that the market is strategically placed to benefit from growth in the Chinese and regional economies.

NZ Trade Commissioner to Hong Kong and Macau Sharon-May McCrostie said there are “immense opportunities” for Kiwi companies in Hong Kong and that the CEP provides certainty for New Zealand businesses either already active in the market or looking to do business there.

“New Zealand companies that take a strategic, pro-active approach to engagement with Hong Kong and China are the ones that are best-placed to maximise the opportunities that this region offers," she said. "It’s great to see a high tech growth company such as Pingar doing just that, and I encourage other New Zealand companies to take a similar approach.”

NZ Minister of Trade Tim Groser and Minister for Ethnic Affairs Pansy Wong are currently in Hong Kong to see how firms can work together under the new agreement.

Pictured: Pingar’s Peter Wren-Hilton with Tom Sit, Chairman and Founder of Pingar’s Hong Kong Partner, Compose Systems.