Mr Simon Galpin has been appointed the new Director-General of
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), replacing Mr Mike Rowse who retired
earlier this year.
 Mr Galpin worked in a number of private companies responsible
for business promotion before joining the Scottish Enterprise,
which is the United Kingdom Government agency to attract direct
foreign investment to Scotland, in 1991. He joined InvestHK in
2001 and was a member of the start-up team that established the
government department as one of the world's leading investment
promotion agencies.
On a recent visit to Toronto, Mr Galpin met with board members
of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association and leaders of
major business organizations such as the Canada China Business
Council. He told them that 2009 would be a year of uncertainty,
but emphasized that Hong Kong would maintain its position as a
safe and reliable platform for foreign companies from which to
manage their new and existing business in Asia.
Meanwhile, InvestHK continues to attract new businesses to Hong
Kong. In late May, Canadian shoe retailer ALDO entered the Hong
Kong market with the opening of its first flagship store in the
Central District. (Please read story about
ALDO)
 Redeem Plc, a UK-headquartered mobile phone recycling
specialist, also announced that it was opening a sales and
processing centre in Hong Kong. The new operation will provide
entry to a number of core emerging mobile markets, including
Mainland China, India, Africa and South America. Mr Jamie Rae,
Redeem's Chief Executive, said the choice of the company's new
venue reflected the fact that Hong Kong "is the world hub for
the refurbishment and resale of mobile phones."
Saizeriya Italian Restaurant Group, an Italian family-style
restaurant chain originating from Chiba, Japan, opened its
second outlet in Hong Kong. The company's first Hong Kong
restaurant opened in November 2008, and there are plans to open
a further 50 venues within the next five years. |
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