The increasing trade between Hong Kong and Australia has attracted the Australian logistics company, OBM International Trade Services, to establish its first overseas office in Hong Kong and take advantage of the business opportunities in the Asian market.

The new office will offer the company's full range of services including import & export freight forwarding, customs brokerage, trade consultancy and project management services. Trading under the name OBM International Trade Services Asia, the new subsidiary marks an important step forward in the company's long-term growth strategy.

The Managing Director of OBM International Trade Services, Mr Mike O'Brien, said, "OBM has recognised the large growth in imports and exports out of Asia, and especially China. The opening of our new office in Hong Kong demonstrates our deep commitment to servicing our clients trading in this region. "

He pointed out that imports from China to Australia are growing at a rate of over 25% per annum, and exports from Australia to China are also increasing steadily. This presents a major opportunity for OBM.

"With 80% of export and import cargo from China handled through Hong Kong, it was a natural choice for OBM to set up a base here to manage business activities in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, " said Mr O'Brien.

The Hong Kong operation was established to provide more control over business that is being moved via Hong Kong and Southern China. The new office will also enable OBM to conduct negotiations locally, rather than from a remote location.

Commenting on the advantages of operating from Hong Kong, the International Business Development Manager of OBM, Mr Stewart Schneider-Loos, said, "Hong Kong offers us many business advantages - a modern world-class city with excellent communications infrastructure, a comprehensive range of supporting services, a pool of world-class talent and expertise and close proximity to the Mainland market.

"The Hong Kong office will play an important role in facilitating the efficient movement of goods between Australia and various Asian markets, " he said.

The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, said, "We warmly welcome OBM's decision to choose Hong Kong for its first overseas office to oversee operations in the region. As Asia's leading logistics hub, Hong Kong is well positioned to support the intensified trading of goods between Mainland China, particularly the Pearl River Delta, and the rest of the world. "

"We at Invest Hong Kong look forward to working closely with OBM to facilitate their expansion in the region through the base here. "

OBM International Trade Services is a specialist international trade service firm, employing over 70 people Australia-wide. The company's structure comprises several business units: International Freight Forwarding Services - import and export; Customs Brokerage Services; Trade Consultancy & Advisory Services; And Project Management Services.

Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence here.