FocusPoint expands in Africa

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A U.S. global security and risk management company is opening an Africa subsidiary to expand its business.

FocusPoint International said the subsidiary, FocusPoint South Africa, will be its regional headquarters and will be based in Cape Town.

"The emerging markets in Africa offer significant growth opportunities for multinational companies in several industry sectors and bring excitement to investors," said FocusPoint Chief Executive Officer Greg Pearson. "However, as we saw with the Arab Spring of 2011, these markets also represent significant security challenges that require holistic solutions that address potential threats and minimize risk to an acceptable level.

"We've been well received by the market in South Africa. Establishing a base of operations there allows us to meet with key decision makers for multinational companies at a moment's notice, many of which base their African headquarters in South Africa."

FocusPoint said its regional focus is on Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.

Mining, gas and oil exploration companies in Africa have used the company's services and FocusPoint plans to expand its services to the manufacturing, technology and the maritime sectors.

"Our goal is to implement sustainable security strategies for our clients that mitigate risks and demonstrate our clients' commitment to the environment and communities in which they operate," Pearson said.