Optimus inks local distribution deal with Compaq

Top domestic computer maker Optimus has signed a preliminary cooperation deal with world leading PC producer Compaq, which includes joint distribution of products, Optimus said on Wednesday. The Polish company added that its American partner would also invest in Optimus's business-to-business Internet venture Xtrade, but declined to provide further information, saying it would discuss the details of the agreement at a press conference later today. Representatives of Optimus and Compaq said the companies' strong positions in different market segments complemented each other and was the main reason for striking the deal. While Optimus's local distribution channels are highly developed among small and midsized companies, Compaq has managed to conquer a large chunk of Poland's big-name corporate market. For Compaq, the deal thus opens up new distribution channels in Eastern Europe's largest PC market. Malgorzata Walczak, spokeswoman for the Polish unit of Compaq, said the company does not rule out holding talks about investing in Optimus itself. "Talks of this kind have not taken place so far, but we are not ruling [them] out," she told Reuters. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p.10; Reuters) A.D.