The new agreement - which is effective for two years - gives HiQ the status of Preferred Supplier to NASDAQ OMX and covers services within systems development, quality assurance, project management and business development.

"Today HiQ employs approaching 70 consultants on assignments for various players in the financial sector. We have sound business know-how, particularly as regards securities trading, and we have enjoyed very good cooperation with NASDAQ OMX for a number of years. Naturally we are very pleased that we are one of the suppliers that NASDAQ OMX wants to have a long-term partnership with," says Lars Stugemo, President and CEO of HiQ.

NASDAQ OMX is the world's largest stock exchange company and supplies trading systems as well as services related to stock market trading to companies on six continents. Over 3,700 companies are listed on one of NASDAQ OMX's marketplaces. NASDAQ OMX offers various capital raising solutions around the globe, including through its American marketplaces and the Nordic exchanges.

"In recent years we have worked with NASDAQ OMX on a number of assignments. Among other things, we have assisted with the further development and quality assurance of various trading applications and trading systems. A good example is the development of next generation trading platforms, which is something we are helping NASDAQ OMX with at the moment," says Magnus Gudéhn, Business Area Manager at HiQ Stockholm.

In the past three years HiQ has implemented a major initiative focusing on the financial sector. HiQ works on communication and specialises in solving complex problems - which is all part of everyday life in the financial sector. HiQ can offer IT management and management consultancy within securities trading, experienced project managers as well as developers and testers focusing on integration. HiQ's current clients include platform providers, major banks, insurance companies and a number of other players in the securities market.

"We feel that there remains great potential in the financial sector and demand for services in this sector is good. We aim to recruit around 20 new consultants in the coming six months. We are looking forward to continuing to work with our key clients in this segment," concludes Magnus Gudéhn.