Siemens, Ningbo Bird sign deal

Siemens and Chinese handset maker Ningbo Bird Co signed a distribution agreement that will provide the German company with access to areas in China with high growth rates for mobile phone ownership. The deal will allow Siemens? IC Mobile subsidiary to utilize Bird's distribution network, which includes 30,000 mobile phone outlets. Siemens said the agreement will enable it to expand to markets outside of major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, where ownership growth rates are slowing. The agreement will also provide Bird with increased access to overseas markets, where it has a minor presence.