Cisco to Build Networking Lab in Taipei

Cisco Systems Inc., venturing outside the U.S. for the first time in years, agreed to build a joint-venture computer network laboratory on Taiwan. Under the accord, San Jose-based Cisco and Taiwan’s semiofficial Institute for Information and Industry will form a networking multimedia lab in Taipei. Four major Taiwan manufacturers--Acer, Tatung, Sun Moon Star and D-Link--have agreed to collaborate in developing Taiwan’s multimedia and network industry, Cisco said. Gary Daichendt, senior vice president of Cisco’s worldwide operations, said Cisco will also help Taiwan in its bid to set up an Asia-Pacific technology center. He declined to disclose the value of investment tied to the lab. Cisco said it picked Taiwan for the island’s proximity to other Asian nations and for the potentially profitable networking and multimedia market in the region. Cisco shares fell 44 cents to close at $77.13 on Nasdaq.