Director General of Invest HK Mike Rowse said that overseas investment in Hong Kong has not been affected by Sars

“International companies are still setting up in Hong Kong, meeting my colleagues and me abroad and seeking information about establishing or expanding their operations here.  Sars has influenced some overseas corporate executives to defer their visits to Hong Kong, not to cancel them,” said Mr Rowse.

“There is usually a long lead time for potential overseas investors to make a decision to set up or expand their presence in Hong Kong,” said Mr Rowse. “The advantages that have made our city the preferred location for international businesses serving the Asia Pacific region have not changed. Indeed many of them have been highlighted by the way we have tackled the Sars outbreak.”

According to media reports, in the last eight weeks, at least ten companies have set up regional headquarters, offices or subsidiaries in Hong Kong:

Mr Rowse said that in spite of the outbreak, Hong Kong's fundamental strengths were as relevant as ever to international companies. “Hong Kong's transparency, world class education and medical facilities, common law structure and practice, respected financial system and institutions, location in the heart of Asia, unfettered global access to information, low level of corruption, excellent infrastructure, skilled workforce and 'can do spirit' remain a huge incentive for multinational companies,” he said.

Related link:
Invest HK www.investhk.gov.hk