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Leading software editor and consultant for financial institutions Horizon Software has expanded its operations in Hong Kong. The company has made the city its Asian hub, which will supervise future business development in the region.
Horizon Software provides highly innovative software for trading floors and multi-asset portfolio management tools for hedge-funds.
Founder and CEO Jean-Marc Delfarguiel explained the reasons that Horizon Software chose Hong Kong to be regional centre. He said,"Hong Kong is truly a vibrant and dynamic city. Being ourselves an important actor in the finance market, we quickly realised how our presence here was key for our business development. HK is definitely the place to be when you are talking finance."
"Hong Kong has truly managed to create a business friendly environment. I have been really impressed by the quality of the local infrastructure, the enthusiasm of the work force and the whole government support that made our growth in Hong Kong such a smooth process. We have been very pleased with the quality of the local IT engineers and are willing to expand our business by creating a local development platform that will focus on delivering solutions specifically tailored to the Asian markets."
The firm opened its Hong Kong office in 2006, and has recently moved to a larger office in Central. It plans to more than double its staff here by the end of this year.
Mr Delfarguiel continued, "The team at InvestHK in particular, has always been helpful and professional and has been, and will remain, an important partner to our development in the region."
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, congratulated Horizon Software on its expansion and the enhanced responsibilities of the Hong Kong office. Mr Galpin said, "We believe that Horizon Software has made the right choice to locate its regional headquarters in our city. Hong Kong has become Asia¡¦s largest fund raising centre. We have a cluster of investment banks and other top financial institutions and funds ¡V all potential clients for the company. I am confident that Horizon Software¡¦s increased investment and commitment to Hong Kong will bring advanced technologies and new skills, which are essential for our IT and financial industries to continue to prosper."
Established in France in 1998, the company now has over 90 employees in Paris, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and, soon, New York. Its products range from market connectivity to electronic trading platforms and market making automatons.
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish or expand a business presence here. For more information: www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, February 14, 2008
Issued at HKT 09:00
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