AmCham Chairman: Hong Kong Poised to Capture Fresh Business Opportunities in An Evolving Landscape

HONG KONG, Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham HK)'s new Chairman Jack Lange remains upbeat at his Inaugural Address about Hong Kong's role to foster positive trade and economic relations between the United States, Hong Kong and Mainland China amid rising challenges in U.S.-China trade relations.

Hong Kong is in a strong position, geographically and strategically, to capture opportunities for American and global business in the economic transformation of Asia -- from Hong Kong's smart city drive, closer economic integration with Southern China, and an enhanced platform for reaching ASEAN markets along the Belt & Road initiative, Jack Lange pointed out.

"This is a year of adapting to change in mindset to understand what actual opportunities are for regional businesses based here in the face of a wealthy city's desire for leading tech and innovation, its advantageous access to another 66 million population market in the Greater Bay Area, and penetrating ASEAN markets following new trade agreements," said Lange.

"Hong Kong is in fierce regional co-opetition with peers like Shenzhen and Singapore; but its strengths stand out. The rule of law, IP protection, world-class professional services, open data and freedoms to connect with the rest of the world, remain strong factors for outgoing Chinese businesses to consider this unique city as a test bed and springboard for global trade and influence," Lange continued.

With changing dynamics in Washington, Lange further outlined that AmCham will advance its role as "a bridge" between Hong Kong and the United States in how Hong Kong's strategic position would benefit American businesses in Asia in the current absence of a regional trade framework.

The U.S. has a marvelous trade surplus with Hong Kong and bilateral relations have been great for many decades. Including Hong Kong in the U.S. visa waiver program is one of the advocacy priorities for AmCham in 2018 and beyond, to heighten the importance of Hong Kong in regional trade, Lange indicated.

"Talent is also a big focus of the Chamber in 2018 as this is the major concern of most innovative businesses here. With Hong Kong government's policy direction to attract R&D in innovation, the Chamber will continue our dialogue with the government on policies to attract talent and groom local talent, as well as to launch new AmCham initiatives that bring global best practices here," Lange added.

Jack Lange is a partner in the Corporate Department of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, based in the firm's office in Hong Kong.

Lange's practice is concentrated principally on mergers and acquisitions. He is highly experienced in the representation of private equity funds and other financial investors in connection with their activities in Asia, including investment activities and portfolio company financing and acquisition activities. Lange has represented major private equity funds, as well as leading strategic investors in the technology, communications and media fields, in connection with complex and highly structured investments and fund raisings in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan.

Lange served as President of The American Club Hong Kong in 2012. Lange is admitted to practice in New York, the District of Columbia and Hong Kong. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1981 and from Princeton University in 1977. Prior to joining Paul, Weiss in 1988, he served in the Office of the Legal Advisor of the U.S. Department of State.

Click here to read the Chairman's Inaugural Address.

Please contact the following persons for further details or interview arrangement.

ABOUT AMCHAM HONG KONG

Visit: 
http://www.amcham.org.hk/news/tag/Press-Release
Join:         
http://www.facebook.com/AmChamHK/  
http://twitter.com/AmChamHK
http://www.linkedin.com/company/american-chamber-of-commerce-in-hong-kong

With about 1,500 members, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham) is one of the largest American Chambers outside the United States, the largest international chamber in Hong Kong, and one of the most dynamic and influential international business organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. AmCham's mission is to foster commerce among the United States, Hong Kong, and Mainland China; and to enhance Hong Kong's stature as an international business center.