NZ tech firms should jump at business opportunities

NZ tech firms should jump at business opportunities in Hong Kong

February 7, 2019

Hong Kong is providing New Zealand with a doorstep of opportunity for Kiwi tech firms, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says.

Muller has just returned from a business trip to Hong Kong, building connections with their tech sector and investors to support a growing interest in the Hong Kong / China market from New Zealand tech firms.

“The One Country – Two Systems structure has left Hong Kong with a separate legal system to China which is similar to our own common law system, with good intellectual property protection and a tough anti-corruption force, all adding up to Hong Kong providing a safe entry point into North Asia for Kiwi tech firms,” he says.

“The Hong Kong government has also committed the equivalent of $10 billion in investments into growing and supporting innovation and the tech sector and New Zealand businesses can access some of this funding to help set up and grow from Hong Kong.

“There is growing interest in what we provide as Hong Kong is aware that New Zealand is ranked as the third freest economy, just behind Hong Kong, according to the 2019 Index of Economic Freedom, and is the least corrupt nation according to Transparency International.

“Hong Kong could provide massive opportunities for NZ tech businesses and there is a real interest in our innovations in AI, biotech, govtech, fintech and smart city solutions.”

Muller urged any Kiwi tech companies interested in doing business in Hong Kong or China to contact him at NZTech or to attend an upcoming seminar being put on by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office where he will share insights from his visit.

The Hong Kong – Connecting New Zealand to the Greater Bay Area event will touch on the opportunity for Kiwi firms of this 70 million-person market on Hong Kong’s doorstep.

NZTech represents more than 800 organisations across the tech ecosystem which employ more than 100,000 Kiwis. Technology is now New Zealand’s fastest growing and third largest export earner.

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