By Joy Chiang Ling
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is an organization that seeks to give Hong Kong companies international business opportunities. The HKTDC has 40 offices around the world, including 11 in Mainland China and one in New York City. On August 25th, 2014, the New York City branch announced its new Regional Director and Director of New York: Mr. Ralph Chow and Mr. Anthony Mak.
The Americas New Regional Director of HKTDC, Ralph Chow is responsible for the promoting the Council’s activities in the Americas. He helps foster business relationships between Hong Kong, North and South America. He joined HKTDC in 1986 and has had extensive experience working in Hong Kong and other overseas regions, including Japan and Australia. From 2002 to 2005, he was the Director of Japan in Tokyo, and from 2005 to July 2014 he was the Director of Product Promotion at the Head Office in Hong Kong.
Anthony Mak heads the HKTDC’s operations in New York and the Eastern United States. Prior to coming to New York, he was the section head for financial services, responsible for the marking aspects of IPO fundraising, offshore RMB/yuan business and international M&A for Chinese enterprises. He also served as the Marketing Manager of HKTDC in Paris and Moscow.
During the press conference at the HKTDC office in Manhattan, Anthony Mak and Ralph Chow discussed their plans for the branch. One of their most recent, significant events, “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong,” was hosted in New York and created opportunities for over a thousand businessmen. Next year, they plan on hosting a similar event in Toronto and Chicago. They have also hosted a wine trading event, which connects Hong Kong’s wine traders with those around the world. Hong Kong’s wine trading platform is significant because it is the only platform in the world that is duty-free.
Mr. Chow and Mr. Mak seek to host more events and nurture business opportunities and relationships between Hong Kong and America. New York City, one of the most globally connected cities in the world, should be expected to present more opportunities for entrepreneurs in New York and Hong Kong alike.
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