At the end of 2008, a total of 3,882 overseas companies had regional operations in Hong Kong.  Of these, 1,298 were regional headquarters and 2,584 regional offices.  This is a record high since the annual survey of companies started 16 years ago. About 49.8% of the regional headquarters in Hong Kong are engaged in wholesale, retail and trade-related services; 17.7% in business and professional services and about 9.2% in financial services.

Setting up a business in Hong Kong is simple and straightforward. One can set up a new company in as few as six days and at a cost of only a few hundred euros.

Every investor has a wide range of business vehicles to choose from when doing business in Hong Kong. The type of structure that is most appropriate will depend on tax issues, strategic plans, financial aspects, willingness to take on ongoing obligations, and other considerations. The most common forms of business vehicles foreign investors choose include:

• Private limited companies
• Branch office of parent companies
• Representative offices
• Partnership /sole proprietorship
• Joint ventures