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Spanish-based shipping and transport company Operasia Forwarding Ltd announced today (May 3) that the company has chosen Hong Kong for its regional office.

The Managing Director of Operasia Forwarding Ltd, Mr Arturo A Segarra, said, "The bilateral trade between Spain and Asian countries has outgrown that of other European countries. It has become imperative for us to offer a tailor-made solution and knowledge to our Spanish and European-related customers. Therefore, we saw a need to choose an ideal location to set up our regional office in Asia."

"Hong Kong offers our company an excellent business, legal and banking environment for our daily activities and operations in Hong Kong and in the rest of China. We also believe in its strategic location and expertise of its people necessary to set up our head office in Asia Pacific," Mr Segarra added.

The Hong Kong office will offer sea and airfreight shipment services to customers in Hong Kong and other markets in the region. Operasia Forwarding Ltd is a new subsidiary of Operinter, S.A., a leading International Freight Forwarder in Spain.

According to Mr Segarra, the Hong Kong regional office will also be responsible for the expansion into the Mainland market. He pointed out that Hong Kong provides the perfect platform for transportation and logistics companies like Operasia to access the robust Mainland economy and explore growth opportunities in Asia at large.

The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, warmly welcomed the establishment of Operasia in Hong Kong.

He pointed out that Hong Kong has the world's largest international air cargo handler and the busiest container port. Half of the world's population live within five hours' flight time of Hong Kong. These advantages offer tremendous growth opportunities for companies in the industry.

" With the implementation of CEPA in January 2004, the business flow between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta has intensified. The SAR Government is committed to continuously enhance the infrastructure and other resources to meet the rapidly growing demand. We are confident that Hong Kong will continue to serve as the natural springboard for companies seeking to expand in China or elsewhere in the region," he said.

Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating foreign direct investment.

Ends/Monday, May 3, 2004

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