23-31 Number of Companies in Hong Kong that are Regional Offices
by Country/Territory of Incorporation of the Parent Company
(Number of companies in Hong Kong that are regional offices) |  |  |
Country/territory of incorporation | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001
of the parent company
Japan | 379 | 347 | 368 | 492 | 533
The United States | 261 | 285 | 278 | 358 | 420
The Mainland of China | 130 | 135 | 136 | 160 | 172
United Kingdom | 130 | 128 | 124 | 155 | 163
Taiwan,China | 49 | 85 | 97 | 113 | 142
Germany | 78 | 74 | 76 | 93 | 108
France | 65 | 76 | 74 | 88 | 88
Singapore | 44 | 37 | 39 | 76 | 77
Republic of Korea | 80 | 66 | 56 | 71 | 76
Switzerland | 42 | 54 | 50 | 69 | 68
Netherlands | 47 | 46 | 48 | 65 | 62
Sweden | 23 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 27
Canada | 24 | 23 | 25 | 30 | 34
Italy | 24 | 36 | 47 | 43 | 52
Australia | 33 | 38 | 29 | 42 | 43
Others | 207 | 192 | 190 | 271 | 233
Total① | 1616 | 1637 | 1655 | 2149 | 2298
| (1611) | (1630) | (1650) | (2146) | (2293)
Notes: Figures refer to 1 June of the year.
A regional office (RO) is an office that coordinates offices/operations in the region (i.e. Hong Kong plus one or more other places), and manages
the business but with frequent referrals to its parent company outside Hong Kong or its regional headquarters.
① The total number of companies that are regional offices by country/territory of incorporation of parent company in this table may be greater
than the actual number because some companies are joint ventures undertaken by two or more investors. The actual number for respective
years is given in brackets.