Language degree a vital business asset, French companies say (hktdc.com)


Paul Clerc-Renaud of the Fargo Group says locally recruited trilingual employees can help expand business opportunities presented by Cepa

The launch of a new trilingual degree programme designed to develop French, Putonghua and English spoken and written business skills has been welcomed by the French business community in Hong Kong.

The French Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong says the French, Chinese and English Associate Degree in Arts and Communication Studies offered by the City University of Hong Kong will produce graduates that will be highly sought after by French companies in Hong Kong.

According to chamber communications director Muriel Werle', trilingual employees will help to develop stronger business relationships and provide cross-cultural links. It is easier for companies to consider staff relocation to head office in France if they can speak several languages, she added.

In addition, Ms Werle' says staff communications can be conveyed in French. This is often important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) where not everybody is comfortable speaking or writing in English.

Skills much in demand

David Santandreu Calonge, the trilingual degree programme leader and a lecturer at the City University, says French companies increasingly using Hong Kong to step up their business activities in the Chinese mainland need trilingual employees who can offer a good command of French, Putonghua and English.

More than 400 French businesses are based in Hong Kong, covering a broad range of industries such as tourism, textiles, design, manufacturing, infrastructure, merchandising and sourcing.

"We have worked closely with the French business community to develop the two-year programme," Mr Calonge said. Students are expected to develop practical skills in spoken and written French, cultural understanding, and French in a professional, social and business context. They also study business and social Putonghua and English. Mr Calonge believes French companies would find graduates a valuable communications resource. He says the programme is tailored towards customer services, marketing, media, purchasing, public relations and tourism.

Maximising opportunities

Paul Clerc-Renaud, managing director of the Fargo Group of international trading companies, affirms an increasing demand for locally recruited trilingual employees by Hong Kong-based French companies. He added that these staff members could help expand business opportunities presented as a result of Cepa (the closer economic partnership arrangement).

"The French business community is in need of trilingual employees and welcomes this initiative to fill a gap in the market," Mr Clerc-Renaud said. "Communications skills are vital for developing and sustaining any type of business, particularly those that depend on close relationships."

Maria Tsang, human resources director of Pernod Ricard Asia, says the new French, Chinese and English associate degree programme will provide French companies in Hong Kong with additional human resources to develop their businesses.

"French-speaking employees are able to network and communicate with their counterparts to develop a better grasp of the business they are working in," Ms Tsang said. She added that Pernod Ricard views trilingual language ability as a necessary skill for employees working in the mainland and Taiwan.