Digicel has expanded its business empire with the launch of a new state-of-the-art store in the heart of the North East Hamilton Economic Empowerment Zone (EEZ).

The mobile phone provider, which officially opened its doors in Court Street yesterday with Premier Ewart Brown cutting the ribbon, is the first international business to set up in the EEZ.

Also in attendance at the event was Digicel Bermuda CEO Wayne Caines, the Minister of Telecommunications Michael Scott and City of Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling, as well as members of the Economic Empowerment Zones Agency, Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation, Uptown Market Association, the Corporation of Hamilton and Digicel staff.

"This store opening heralds a new day in business," said Mr. Caines. "Digicel Bermuda is proud to make this bold move to ignite business in the North East Hamilton EEZ. North East Hamilton is a sleeping giant showing huge opportunities for growth and Digicel is excited to be at the forefront of change in this area.

"While Digicel, as an anchor tenant, will now be a focal point of business in the area. This move is really about the community.

"We listened to our customers, many of whom are based in this area. We created jobs by hiring contractors to renovate the building's interior and hiring staff to assist in the store. We provided space within the store to help entrepreneurs and other business people to conduct their business. This store represents opportunity for the community."

The new flagship store is based in a two-storey building on the corner of Court and Dundonald Streets, comprising a retail store, a BlackBerry service centre and a business centre.

The retail store has a range of new phones on display, in addition to a number of services, including bill payment or inquiries dealt with by customer sales representatives, as well as touch-screen computers and large plasma screens and an electronic kiosk to cut waiting time.

The BlackBerry service centre will replace the service centre at Washington Mall Phase II, with trained and certified BlackBerry experts on hand to help and fully operational test phones for customer use.

The business centre will allow customers to use PCs in a designated space, with access to the Internet, faxes, photocopiers, scanners and printers.

Dr. Wilfrid Robinson, whose family have owned the building since the 1850s, since it has been a hotel, dress shop and diner, leased it to Digicel and believes it will be a big asset to the local community.

"We really need this," he said. "I think it is great for the area."

Dr. Brown said: "We are pleased to see that Digicel has taken the bold step in becoming a part of the North Hamilton Community and the Economic Empowerment Zone."

The store will be open between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.