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Hong
Kong
Report by Norm Jacknis, CIO
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Hong Kong is a modern city with an impressive skyline -- as you
can see in the picutre on the right. It
is one of the major ports of the world and a
headquarters city for operations throughout
Asia..
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With seven million people in an area smaller
than Westchester County, it is filled with high-rise
buildings for both business and living.
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The city is also a shopper's paradise with a store
every few feet and huge malls. The one
pictured to the right has several hundred stores,
but is only one of several such malls.
While the economy there has softened recently,
it is still an economic powerhouse.
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Even though Hong Kong was just a stop
over for our trip back home, we took the opportunity
to meet with the Asia staff of Mastercard to
get some guidance on how best to approach the
Asian market.
Connie Yuen, Business Development Director
(on the left in the picture) gave us a
detailed presentation on the market and Mastercard's
approach to it. As evidence of growth
even in consumer markets, the Asia sector
has been growing by double digits and has
lots of room to grow since it is not yet mature.
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Afterwards we reviewed our trade efforts
in China with the senior staff and also discussed
how we could reach out to technology companies
in Hong Kong. Pictured on the right with
County Executive Spano is lead Vice President
Danny Cheung, Jay Singer (VP for MasterCard
Advisors) and Avery Stone (VP Global Accounts
Asia/Pacific).
By the way, both Mr. Singer and Mr. Stone
come from Westchester County ... small world.
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And so the trip is over. All the members
of the delegation felt
the trip met its goals and helped significantly
to open the door for Westchester businesses
to grow, particularly as a result of meeting with the right
people -- the Mayors and Hi-Tech Park Directors. Now, of course, it will be up
to Westchester's companies to take advantage of these
opportunities.
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Home - Westchester
County China Trade Delegation 2002
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