Toasting the opening of Aprize in Hong Kong are, from left, acting associate director-general of Invest Hong Kong Simon Tsang, Aprize Asia president Chen Xing-wei, Aprize Satellite Ltd chief executive officer Dr Dino Lorenzini, and Aprize Asia director Philip Liu.

US-based satellite tracking company Aprize Satellite Limited and BT Group of the UK, one of the world's leading communications service providers, are among the latest in a series of multinationals to locate their Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Hong Kong.

Aprize made the strategic move to Hong Kong in view of the rapidly growing Chinese mainland market, chief executive officer Dr Dino Lorenzini said.

"China's accession to the World Trade Organisation and western region development present huge potential business opportunities," he said. "Hong Kong is an ideal operations base for the Chinese mainland market, and a good platform for us to market our services in the region.

"With its well developed and liberalised telecommunications and IT infrastructure, and an efficient and international business environment, Hong Kong provides excellent support for satellite communication business here."

The president of Aprize Asia Ltd, Chen Xing-wei, said Hong Kong is ideally situated next to the company's biggest user market. "Hong Kong offers enormous flexibility in terms of business operation and financing. Hong Kong is the natural choice for expanding Aprize's presence in Asia."

BT Group has relocated its Asia-Pacific headquarters to Hong Kong from Australia to oversee the company's operations in the region. From its base in Hong Kong BT Ignite, a subsidiary of BT Plc, will support multi-site corporates operating in Asia, with a particular focus on the China market.

Chief executive officer Andy Green said: "BT has been committed to this region and Hong Kong for more than 15 years. Our localised Hong Kong and China operations are going from strength to strength.

"As one of the most stable and successful global telecommunications and solutions providers, our strategy of 'think global, act local' has resulted in a successful local partnership approach to developing business in this region. Asia-Pacific continues to be critical to BT's global strategy."

BT Group's annual sales amounted to HK$218 billion (US$28 billion) in 2001. It has a worldwide workforce of 108,600.