First Swiss Legal Firm Locates In Hong Kong

by Mary Swire, for LawAndTax-News.com, Hong Kong

11 October 2004

It emerged last week that Swiss law firm, S.G. FAFALEN & Co. has established an operation in Hong Kong, making it the first of its counterparts in the Swiss legal sector to take such a step.

The firm has registered with the Hong Kong Law Society, and will provide both Swiss and international legal, tax and trust services to small to medium-sized corporations and high net worth individuals, dealing principally with matters involving Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia.

Speaking on the occasion of the firm's grand opening, founder Serge G. Fafalen announced that:

"By setting up our office in a strategic location like Hong Kong, we can enjoy privileged access to clients in the Asian financial and banking centres and to the Asian low corporate and individual taxation jurisdictions. Considering all different factors including location, business-friendly environment for foreign service providers, accessibility to potential investors and the legal system, Hong Kong is simply the most ideal business location for us."

He went on to add that:

"Furthermore, Hong Kong, being part of China, provides an excellent gateway to the Mainland and in particular, to the booming regional economy in the Pearl River Delta. With the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) implemented since the beginning of this year, our firm, as a registered law firm in Hong Kong, will enjoy tremendous business opportunities brought along with the increased activities in this region."

The establishment of a Swiss legal presence in the SAR was welcomed by director-general of Invest Hong Kong, Mike Rowse, who officiated at the opening ceremony alongside Francois Barras, the Swiss consul general in Hong Kong.

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