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Taking advantage of the Japanese cuisine boom in Asia, COLOWIDE Co Ltd, a Kanagawa-headquartered operator of Japanese eating and drinking establishments, is delighted to announce today (July 13) its first foray overseas with the opening of an office in Hong Kong and the first of four outlets in the city.
Representative Director of COLOWIDE Asia Co Ltd, Mr Makoto Inoue, said, "Establishment of a company in Hong Kong is easy and the tax regime is favourable. Added to these advantages is the fact that people here have an understanding of Japanese culture and a great interest in Japanese food. We hope that our restaurants will act as our billboards in Asia."
COLOWIDE's four outlets in Hong Kong will include two "MIYA Japanese Buffet and Grill" restaurants serving original grilled dishes such as beef steak, yakitori chicken skewers, tonkatsu pork cutlets, sushi, udon noodles and desserts; and two "Yakiniku Izakaya MIYA" Japanese style barbecue and bar brand, which will offer, in addition to Japanese-style barbecue, an original bar menu, yakitori, long pizza and takoyaki grilled octopus balls.
The first MIYA Japanese Buffet and Grill opens tomorrow in Telford Plaza, Kowloon Bay, and the second in the Ramada Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui in mid-August. "Yakiniku Izakaya MIYA" is set to open in Langham Place, Mong Kok in August, and in the Lee Theatre Plaza in Causeway Bay in December.
"We are confident in the Hong Kong market and as such, decided to start our first overseas operation here. The Hong Kong office will be the hub for the company's activities in the region," Mr Inoue added.
Established in 1963 with Japanese-style bars called "izakaya" that emphasise home-style food, parent company COLOWIDE Co Ltd has since grown into a chain operator of eating and drinking establishments including Japanese-style bar Amataro; Japanese, Western and Chinese fusion restaurant Nijyu-Maru; revolving sushi bar Atom Boy, Japanese seafood restaurant Hokkaido; steak and hamburger house Miya; and pasta and pizza restaurant La Pausa, among others.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Andrew Davis, said, "Hong Kong has long billed itself as the culinary capital of Asia and COLOWIDE's investment here is an indication of just how true that moniker is. We are delighted to be home to the company's first overseas venture and we wish it all success as it continues its expansion in our city."
Starting a business in Hong Kong, for companies large and small, has been further facilitated with the launch of the Government's electronic incorporation service in March 2011. The time required for company incorporation and business registration has now been significantly reduced from four to one working day.
About COLOWIDE Co Ltd
Established in 1963, COLOWIDE Co Ltd has since grown into a chain operator of more than 900 restaurants, pubs, sushi bars, dining bars and dining-karaoke shops in Japan. It is headquartered in Kanagawa Prefecture and is listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.colowide.co.jp.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. Over the past 11 years since its establishment, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2 300 investment projects creating over 28 000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$60 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:24
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