Juan Dedeu, general manager of China Consultants, finds Hong Kong the best place to manage operations, co-ordinate logistics and grow business

Juan Dedeu is general manager of China Consultants, a consultancy that supports and advises mainly Spanish companies on how to establish and develop commercial ties with East Asia. Mr Dedeu is an avid promoter of the arts and cross-cultural exchanges between Spain and China and considers Hong Kong to be one of the easiest places in the world to live, raise a family and conduct business. At the end of November, in recognition for his work in successfully developing business relationships between Spain, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, he will receive the prestigious La Cruz de Oficial de la Orden de Isabel La Catolica medal of honour. His nomination has been personally endorsed by His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain.

"Deciding to live in Hong Kong was easy. I made my first business trip in 1982 and moved to Hong Kong permanently in 1988, as a representative of a Spanish company involved in the oil industry. Immediately I was absorbed into the vibrancy and dynamism that Hong Kong offers. I set up China Consultants in 1989 when I realised there was a huge need to form a business conduit between Hong Kong and Spain to assist small to medium sized companies (SMEs) in developing their businesses in the mainland. I was delighted when our clients quickly realised that working through a Hong Kong company could provide an invaluable advantage in making sure that all parties understand each other. Most of the Spanish companies we work with are operating in southern China's Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. As China's most cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong is the capital of the PRD and the most important provider of services.

Hong Kong's status has changed over the past decade. It's no longer just the window into China, but the middleman for Chinese companies looking for business opportunities elsewhere in the world. Through our headquarters in Hong Kong we are able to help these companies find partners not only in Spain but also in South America. The process is very much two way traffic, which is further supported by a strong network of business associates in Hong Kong and Europe.

World-class business environment

Overseas firms that choose Hong Kong are establishing themselves in one of the world's best business environments, with transparent rules, a level playing field where the legal requirements for doing business is comprehensive and light-handed, and the banking system is clear and accessible. It is the best place from which to manage operations, co-ordinate logistics and at the same time grow a business. People wishing to establish a company in Hong Kong routinely have businesses up and running in as little as 24 hours, supported by some of the world's best infrastructure and expertise. Hong Kong's trade fairs also attract serious buyers from around the world and provide an extremely cost-efficient way to make new contacts and boost sales.

Each year we work with nearly 200 Spanish companies, helping them to make the best industrial investments and assist them with their commercial strategies. Many of them are SMEs so they don't have endless resources; the money they invest is coming from their own pockets. They need certainty, transparency and information. You need certainty that your information is correct, that laws can be counted on and profits can be remitted. Hong Kong provides all of this and more. We also work closely with the Spanish and Chinese governments, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to develop strategies to expand business relationships. So that we can work more effectively we also have offices in Beijing, Nanjing and Barcelona and a representative office in Madrid and Montevideo.

As a family we entertain around eight guests from Spain each month. I never tire of showing them The Peak, and Hong Kong's many cultural and wining and dining attractions including the authentic Ole Spanish restaurant. Through BravoSpain, an organisation that our company supports, we are able to bring many talented artists and musicians to Hong Kong, which brings a little piece of our European home to our Asian base.  One of my proudest moments was being informed that King Juan Carlos had personally endorsed my receiving the La Cruz de Oficial de la Orden de Isabel La Catolica  medal ─ I have Hong Kong to thank for this honour.

Related link:
China Consultants  www.ibg.com.hk