Samarkand Group PLC (LON:SMK) said it has formally opened its new office in Tokyo to serve the Japanese market.
The cross-border ecommerce technology specialist said its Japanese subsidiary, which was established last month, is already working with a wide range of brands in the country to make their ecommerce efforts in the Chinese market “more simple, transparent, and profitable”.
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Samarkand also said Simon Truss has been appointed as the managing director of the subsidiary business, adding that Truss has worked in the Japanese cross border ecommerce and supply chain industry for the last 14 offices and headed Japanese offices for several companies including Maersk Logistics, Panalpina and China's largest logistics company, SF Express.
"I am delighted to be joining Samarkand Group. The initial response that we have had from Japanese brands has been extraordinarily strong, particularly amongst SME brands. These have been hit the hardest by the fall in Chinese tourism caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and need help to reach their customers in China", Truss said in a statement.
"The opening of our office in Tokyo is a strategically important step for Samarkand Group. At the time of our IPO in March we stated that part of the funds raised would be used towards our international expansion and business development activities and we are delighted to have delivered on that intention”, said Samarkand chief executive David Hampstead.
“As a company which specialises in connecting overseas brands with China, the Japan-to-China cross border market represents an attractive and logical next step in our expansion. At the same time, many of our European brand partners are interested in diversifying their sales to include the Japanese market. I am delighted to welcome industry expert, Simon Truss who has an impressive record of experience and expertise to lead our new office in Tokyo. We look forward to working with Simon and our new clients across Japan", the CEO added.