French IT firm makes HK its Asian hub (hktdc.com)


	InvestHK's Simon Galpin (left), congratulates CEO of Horizon Software, Jean-Marc Delfarguiel for expanding its business in Hong Kong

Leading software editor and consultant for financial institutions Horizon Software has expanded its operations in Hong Kong. The company has made the city its Asian hub, which will supervise future business development in the region.

Horizon Software provides highly innovative software for trading floors and multi-asset portfolio management tools for hedge-funds.

Founder and CEO Jean-Marc Delfarguiel explained the reasons that Horizon Software chose Hong Kong to be regional centre. "Hong Kong is truly a vibrant and dynamic city. Being ourselves an important actor in the finance market, we quickly realised how our presence here was key for our business development. Hogn Kong is definitely the place to be when you are talking finance."

"Hong Kong has truly managed to create a business friendly environment. I have been really impressed by the quality of the local infrastructure, the enthusiasm of the work force and the whole government support that made our growth in Hong Kong such a smooth process. We have been very pleased with the quality of the local IT engineers and are willing to expand our business by creating a local development platform that will focus on delivering solutions specifically tailored to the Asian markets," he added.

The firm opened its Hong Kong office in 2006, and has recently moved to a larger office in Central. It plans to more than double its staff here by the end of this year.

Associate Director-General for Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Simon Galpin, said Horizon Software has made the right choice to locate its regional headquarters in our city. "Hong Kong has become Asia's largest fund raising centre. We have a cluster of investment banks and other top financial institutions and funds – all potential clients for the company."

Established in France in 1998, the company now has over 90 employees in Paris, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and soon, New York. Its products range from market connectivity to electronic trading platforms and market making automatons. Source: InvestHK