The other units are in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, India and the Philippines.

Founded in 1997, High Tech Computer (HTC) is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Since its establishment, the company has developed strong research and development capabilities, pioneered many new designs and product innovations and launched state-of-the-art PDA phones and smartphones for mobile operators and distributors in Europe, the United States and Asia.

Dopod - also based in Taiwan - is one of the leading PDA phone and smartphone distributors in Asia.

The acquisition agreement is still subject to shareholder approval next month, HTC said in a statement.

HTC will start to launch "HTC" brand products in Asia.

The company is committed to providing a full range of support services to existing Dopod International products and Dopod consumers through original distribution channels and service/call centres.

Dopod International has been accumulating rich sales and marketing experiences in the Asia market and it provides great advantages to HTC's brand management in the future, said HTC.

By leveraging HTC's sales and marketing experiences in Europe and the US to the Asian market, the acquisition will reinforce HTC's position as the world's leading provider of smart handheld devices, said the Taiwanese purchaser.

To maximise the synergies of the acquisition and to implement new joint business initiatives, Dopod International's entire workforce will join HTC.

"Well-performing brands enjoy strong awareness among consumers, so it is extremely important for HTC to enhance brand recognition by communicating a consistent global brand image," Peter Chou, CEO of HTC, said this week.

"In the future, HTC will provide consumers with consistent global marketing services under the HTC brand name. This comprehensive global marketing strategy will build up real, long-term brand value for HTC and will boost the company's overall competitiveness."