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Italian mosaic company SICIS opened its showroom in downtown Wan Chai today (May 3), the fifth establishment in Asia by the company in a continuous expansion of its business worldwide.
The design of the showroom over two levels at the feet of Queen's Cube adds appeal to the Queen's Road East neighbourhood, where the historical Blue House and Wan Chai Market are also located.
Designed by renowned architect Khuan Chew of K.C.A. International, whose works include the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, the exterior of the SICIS showroom features two massive installations, a high heel shoe and large vase in gold, red and white mosaics, a design theme fusing oriental and Italian influences. Inside the showroom are a series of artistic mosaics for walls and floors, and a range of designer furniture also by SICIS.
SICIS Resident Area Manager Greater China Emanuele Travagliati said that the showroom in Hong Kong brings to 23 the company's number of shops and showrooms worldwide. He noted that the Hong Kong showroom will help the group grow its market share in southeast Asia and also access the Mainland China market where demand for luxury mosaics is rising on the back of a booming property sector and increasing affluence.
"Hong Kong is a strategic location for SICIS given its importance in the Asian and China markets. The ease of doing business here and the rule of law and simple tax regime also contributed to our decision to open in Hong Kong," he said.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Andrew Davis, welcomed SICIS to Hong Kong and said: "Hong Kong's international status makes it a perfect location for people looking for artistic interior design, including luxury mosaics. The city's advantages, alongside its proximity to the Mainland China market, add further appeal to companies like SICIS which are seeking to expand into Asia."
About SICIS
In 1987, Maurizio Leo Placuzzi, opened a factory in Ravenna, Italy, part of a region renowned for its mosaics since the Byzantine era. He and his staff of artists and mosaic masters concentrate on the detail, quality, know-how and creativity required in producing a variety of high end mosaic tiles, products that are 100% made in Italy and 100% Sicis. Today, the company runs 23 showrooms or shops worldwide. In Asia, SICIS also has several showrooms in Tokyo, Seoul and India, plus another shop in Tokyo. For more details, please visit: www.sicis.it.
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. As it enters its 12th year of operation, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2,400 investment projects creating more than more than 29,000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$62 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157629954110781.
Ends/Thursday, May 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:29
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