Powerful platform for global business (hktdc.com)


	(Left) David Marsden, TDC’s Director, UK & Ireland, and Marc Allard, Director, France, give one-on-one attention to visitors at World SME Expo

	Yannick Vivarel of France

	(Dick) Isoo Oshima of Hawaii

	Michael Stopp of Germany

	Paul Thornhill, UK

Hong Kong's effectiveness as a global business platform was resoundingly endorsed during the mega-week of November 29 – December 1, the busiest period of trade activity for the year.

Five concurrent events saw tens of thousands of overseas businesses converge on Hong Kong: World SME Expo, the International Business Convention, Hong Kong Forum, Innovation and Design Expo (incorporating Business of Design Week) and Supertrader, an exhibition organised to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

The end-of-year events capped a third strong year of economic expansion for Hong Kong, where import and export trades increased, services surged (especially in the finance and insurance sectors, which recorded a 20 per cent year-on-year growth), employment reached successive highs, and local costs pressures remained modest.

Year of accolades

In 2006 Hong Kong was also ranked the world's freest economy – for the 12th consecutive year; Hong Kong International Airport was voted the best airport for the fourth time in a row; and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) was again voted the Best Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The reasons why Hong Kong is such a respected business platform were made clear at the HKCEC fairground, which was abuzz with networking during the week-long events.

Dr Yannick Vivarel, International Business Adviser for French firm Heung & Partners, described the week as "a fantastic opportunity for networking". "I'm now working with Chinese companies and utilise Hong Kong for human resources, definitely for financing, and for its business infrastructure," Dr Vivarel said. "Hong Kong also serves as the back office for some of our Chinese companies who are going global."

Toru Moriya, Managing Director of Moriya Enterprises Inc, Japan, remarked on Hong Kong's freedom of speech following a luncheon address by the Financial Secretary, Henry Tang.

"I enjoyed Mr Tang's opening remarks, and coming from Japan, I was surprised he was able to speak so freely," Mr Moriya said. "Now that my business in Osaka is stable, I am looking to expand. I see Hong Kong as financially a good place to invest."

Iwao Takamuki, Chairman of Japan's North Pacific Bank, agreed. "Hong Kong is very attractive as an international finance centre, with a long history behind it and good prospects," he said. "It has an accumulated financial knowledge which we know we can trust."

Trusted platform

Delegates also remarked on Hong Kong as their trusted platform for China. "In a market like China, you don't know who the good guys and bad guys are," said Canadian Dale Oswald, Managing Director, Strategic Trade Partners. "(Hong Kong) connects me with strong contacts and partners I can trust." Agreed Samson Chung, of Samson Chung Consulting Inc of Nova Scotia, Canada: "Hong Kong offers me a secure platform for dealing with Chinese customers – and its independent judiciary ensures there is arbitration I can trust, should I need it."

Hawaii's (Dick) Isoo Oshima, of Oshima Company CPA, was one of the many financial professionals attending. "Hong Kong's simple taxation system is a strategic benefit of doing business in the region," he said. "The US could learn a lot from Hong Kong."

German businessman Michael Stopp was one of the many who found the week's event fruitful. "I have had many discussions at the Hong Kong Forum, looking to partner German firms with OEM businesses," he said. "As a result of one introduction, an Australian company involved in the automotive parts industry is coming to our fair in Germany next year for further discussions."

Venture capitalist Paul Thornhill, Director of London's Thornhill Capital Limited, said Hong Kong is a strategic market for British companies looking to invest in profitable companies in China. "Its established infrastructure, rule of law and financial strengths make Hong Kong an excellent platform for SMEs," Mr Thornhill said.