Publisher Stephen Freeman couldn't be happier with the results he has achieved in Hong Kong

"While Hong Kong certainly presented Asia-City Publishing with its first opportunity to publish a dedicated, weekly, lifestyle publication for residents, it is also ideally positioned to present additional business opportunities across the region for those with the right product," Mr Freeman said.

"The great thing about Hong Kong is that it gives people a chance to try something, and if your idea is good then maybe you can get it off the ground.

"There are no restrictions in the market here that prevent you from trying, compared to certain markets in Asia where so many licensing, taxation or other regulations affect your ability to do your job. Hong Kong has none of those encumbrances, and this makes it very easy to do business here".

Asia-City Publishing was established in 1991, with the launch of weekly visitor and lifestyle publication, HK Magazine, initially published by Freeman and two colleagues who had identified a need in the marketplace.

China the key to further growth

The company has thrived in the 15 years since, growing to a stable of seven publications  with the addition of IS Magazine (Singapore), BK Magazine (Bangkok),  KL Map (Kuala Lumpur), WHERE HK, WHERE Macau and WHERE Singapore. It has offices in four cities - Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur - 100 staff and a marketing communications company.

Mr Freeman is also actively looking at opportunities in China "very frequently and very strongly" and readily acknowledges that Hong Kong once again is the perfect platform, with its close links to the Chinese mainland. 

"There are enormous opportunities in China, and it is part of our plan to expand into the mainland as we continue to grow. While there are existing city magazines in both Shanghai and Beijing, I would argue that we definitely have something to add, so we are still looking there.''

In addition to its WHERE magazines currently published in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, Asia-City Publishing is also looking at visitor publication opportunities in the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia.

"Hong Kong provided an excellent platform to start a business and we couldn't have asked for a more receptive market," Mr Freeman said.

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