Why executives value Asia business capital (hktdc.com)


	AmCham Chairman Steve DeKrey is committed to bringing top talent to Hong Kong

It's a Hong Kong phenomenon that many people who come to the city initially on a short-term contract end up staying permanently. Steve DeKrey senior associate dean, director of Masters programmes and Adjunct Professor of Management at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Business School and new Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham), believes he knows why.

‘I came to Hong Kong in February 1996, and I absolutely love it – which is probably a surprise to my family as I came from a small town in Minnesota. It's a dynamic, sophisticated city that moves quickly. I like the diversity, the focus, the energy level, and the fact that you can find everything you want. I'm married to a Hong Kong Chinese and she's very open about moving, but it's me who wants to stay because we have such a great life here.

I manage the professional Masters programmes at the HKUST Business School, and when I started 12 years ago we had just two MBA programmes. Now, we run five MBA programmes including two on the mainland, and six Masters of Science (MSc) programmes including a new one in Global Finance with NYU, Stern School.

In partnership with the Kellogg School, we run an executive MBA programme. Kellogg has partnerships worldwide (in Israel, Germany, Canada, Miami and Chicago) but electives in Hong Kong's programme are by far the most popular. This is because Hong Kong has a reputation for being a great place to be, it is an important city globally, and offers insights and a platform for booming Asia and China business. We are Asia's business capital.

Don't want to leave

A lot of expatriates who originally came on short-term assignment refuse to leave when the time ends. They will transfer to other jobs, start their own business or find some other ways to stay. I have many friends in AmCham who have been here forever!

Hong Kong is also one of those rare cities where outsiders can become insiders very quickly. The attitude here is global and open, and this is a strength I haven't seen anywhere else. Hong Kong's people define world citizenship.

There's no doubt that having Hong Kong experience is an advantage on an executive's curriculum vitae. Hong Kong is a leading business hub which needs the best people, but the top talents also have options. That's part of my role at AmCham, to help make certain the talent want to come to Hong Kong. It's an ambition we are promoting through our 2008 initiative to develop Hong Kong as a top talent centre in Asia.

Under this initiative, AmCham will work with its members and government to ensure Hong Kong becomes the source of talents needs across Asia. We will continue to address issues related to improving Hong Kong as a great place for foreign companies to do business, with a focus on how to further improve the quality of working life here.

Lifestyle options

There are many reasons why the top talents would want to come. Hong Kong has terrific infrastructure and transportation networks, it has rule of law, a stable government, safe environment, low taxes and an efficient port, all of which are highly valued by business leaders. It also offers lifestyle: you can live on the waterfront, in the country or in the city. We have wonderful international schools, and the recreation options are second to none.

I grew up on a lake in Minnesota. I was a water ski show professional, ski kite flyer, snow ski racer and a sailboat racer. Here, my wife and I are members of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, and our boat is our personal time – we'll go for lunch to an island restaurant or to Sai Kung, or just relax on board. Hong Kong is a fabulous, magical place – I haven't lost my enthusiasm for Hong Kong, and can't imagine I ever will.”