Local and regional operations

Number of local and regional offices, and regional headquarters for recent years

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Change
(2006-07)* % Change
(2006-07)*

RHQs 948 966 1,098 1,167 1,228 1246 +18 +1.5

ROs 2,171 2,241 2,511 2,631 2,617 2644 +27 +1.0

LOs 1,748 2,207 2,334 2,474 2,509 2550 +41 +1.6

RHQs + ROs 3,119 3,207 3,609 3,798 3,845 3890 +45 +1.2

RHQs + ROs + LOs 4,867 5,414 5,943 6,272 6,354 6440 +86 +1.3
Definitions

A Regional Headquarters (RHQ) is an office that has control over the operations of offices in the region (i.e. Hong Kong plus one or more other places), and manages the business without frequent referrals to its parent company outside Hong Kong.

A Regional Office (RO) is an office that coordinates offices/operations in the region (i.e. Hong Kong plus one of more other places), and manages the business but with frequent referrals to its parent company outside Hong Kong or its regional headquarters.

A Local Office (LO) is an office that solely takes charge of the business in Hong Kong on behalf of its parent company outside Hong Kong.

Notes

The definitions of RHQ, RO and LO have been revised as from the 2007 Survey to enhance the clarity of description. It should be noted that figures for RHQ, RO and LO for 2007 may not be strictly comparable with those before 2007.

Source: Census and Statistics Department

Breakdown of local and regional offices, and regional headquarters by country/territory of incorporation

Regional Headquarters in Hong Kong by Country/Territory of Incorporation of the Parent Company, 2007

Country/Territories of Incorporation
of Overseas Parent Company Number of companies
that are Regional Headquarters

United States of America 298

Japan 232

United Kingdom 124

The mainland of China 93

Germany 76

France 56

Netherlands 50

Switzerland 47

Singapore 43

Taiwan 28

Italy 27

Australia 21

Sweden 20

Korea 16

Canada 14
Notes: In the case of a joint-ventured regional headquarters in Hong Kong, there may be more than one country/territory of location of its parent company(ies).
Source: Census and Statistics Department

Regional Offices in Hong Kong by Country/Territory of Incorporation of the Parent Company, 2007

Countries/Territories of Incorporation
of Overseas Parent Company Number of companies
that are Regional Offices

United States of America 593

Japan 516

United Kingdom 223

Taiwan 155

The mainland of China 152

Germany 129

France 121

Singapore 105

Australia 69

Korea 64

Switzerland 64

Italy 57

Netherlands 51

Sweden 36

Canada 32
Notes: In the case of a joint-ventured regional office in Hong Kong, there may be more than one country/territory of incorporation of the parent company(ies)
Source: Census and Statistics Department

Local Offices in Hong Kong by Country/Territory of Incorporation of the Parent Company, 2007

Country/Territory of Incorporation
of Overseas Parent Company Number of companies
that are Local Offices

The mainland of China 480

Japan 431

United States of America 394

Taiwan 164

United Kingdom 163

Singapore 134

France 100

Germany 87

Australia 69

Switzerland 63

Korea 60

Netherlands 54

Canada 38

Malaysia 29

Italy 27
Notes: In the case of a joint-ventured local office in Hong Kong, there may be more than one country/territory of incorporation of the parent company(ies)
Source: Census and Statistics Department

Breakdown of local and regional offices, and regional headquarters by line of business

Regional Headquarters in Hong Kong by Major Line of Business, 2007

Major line of business in Hong Kong Number of companies
that are Regional Headquarters

Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades 649

Busniess Services 198

Transport and Related Services 122

Finance and Banking 113

Manufacturing

Information Technology Services

91

44

Construction, Architectural and Civil Engineering 38

Telecommunications Services 27

Insurance 25

Real Estate 12

Restaurants and Hotels 11
Notes: There may be more than one major line of business
Source: Census and Statistics Department

Regional Offices in Hong Kong by Major Line of Business, 2007

Major line of business in Hong Kong Number of companies
that are Regional Offices

Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades 1,357

Business Services 474

Finance and Banking 298

Transport and Related Services 211

Manufacturing

Information Technology Services

88

85

Construction, Architectual and Civil Engineering 79

Insurance 51

Telecommunications Services 36

Real Estate 24

Restaurants and Hotels 19
Notes: There may be more than one major line of business
Source: Census and Statistics Department

Local Offices in Hong Kong by Major Line of Business, 2007

Major Line of business in Hong Kong Number of companies
that are Local Offices

Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades 964

Finance and Banking 518

Business Services 424

Transport and Related Services 264

Insurance 98

Construction, Architectural and Civil Engineering 83

Real Estate 72

Manufacturing

Information Technology Services

67

60

Restaurants and Hotels 43

Telecommunications Services 29
Notes: There may be more than one major line of business
Source: Census and Statistics Department