Three overseas companies have recently set up offices in Hong Kong, citing the Chinese mainland’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the SAR’s world-class infrastructure as two of the reasons.

Leading UK print company The Wren Press, which offers a comprehensive range of diverse print services and counts the Prince of Wales’ office and the British Royal Household among its clients, will use Hong Kong as its base in the region.

“It was a logical step to open in Hong Kong after our New York office as both places are international financial centres with major financial corporations requiring our high quality stationeries and customised services,” said marketing director for the Far East Leini Spears.

There was always a great deal of interest in Hong Kong for its wedding invitations, thematic party cards and high quality printing, Ms Spears added. “We want the Hong Kong office to be the launch pad to the Asia-Pacific region.”

US-based portal operator FXall is expanding online trading in Hong Kong from stocks to foreign exchange currency by establishing an office in the SAR. It already has offices in New York, London and Tokyo.

FXall’s chief executive Philip Weisberg said the company chose Hong Kong as its hub for expansion into the Asia-Pacific region because of the city’s sophisticated financial markets and banking system. Many international companies have set up their regional treasury departments in Hong Kong and this group of investors was likely to use the Internet to trade foreign currencies.

“The Hong Kong office is an important step in FXall’s wider expansion strategy for the Asian region. As the only fully automated portal for foreign exchange trading, we give customers in Hong Kong and beyond a competitive edge in global trading.”

Standard Life Investments, one of UK’s largest fund managers, has set up regional headquarters in Hong Kong where the financial markets are characterised by a high degree of liquidity and operate under effective and transparent regulations.

“Hong Kong is one of the most open insurance centres in the world and the regional centre for portfolio management activity. The presence of prominent insurance groups like Standard Life will help reinforce Hong Kong’s reputation as a leading financial centre,” said Standard Life Investments’ chief executive Sandy Crombie.

Mr Crombie added that China’s imminent accession to WTO would enhance Hong Kong’s position as the regional gateway. “Hong Kong will become increasingly important due to its world-class infrastructure and comprehensive financial and banking system.”