Insurer takes you around 82 museums in Europe in just six days
Suddenly, it seems everybody is trying to help rid Hong Kong of its reputation as a cultural desert.
No sooner had Pablo Picasso's theatre curtain come down at Two IFC than the property giants were vying to raise their colours as sponsors of the art galleries and museums proposed for the West Kowloon development project.
Now the insurance sector is getting in on the act with ING Life combining culture with one of Hong Kong's favourite pastimes - lottery. The Dutch-based insurer is running an 'Arts with ING Life' lucky draw for anyone who buys a policy from the company up to December 6.
The promotion began last month.
The top prize is a six-day tour of the Netherlands and France for two worth $60,000 that includes passes to 40 museums in France and 42 in the Netherlands.
Sounds pretty good but it's hard to imagine how the winners are going to get round 82 museums in six days, no matter how fast they run.
Second prize is a Thailand cooking tour for two, which sounds delicious although we weren't sure where the 'Arts with ING' theme came in until a company spokesman said it was to let policyholders learn the art of cooking.
The insurer is also sponsoring a stand-up comedy show at the Hong Kong Arts Centre in the New Year.
ING is not alone. Pacific Century Insurance sponsored the recent series of concerts by the Godfather of Canto-pop, Sam Hui Koon-kit. White Collar understands the reason the firm was keen to be associated with the 1970s superstar's comeback performances after a 12-year break. Managing director Raymond Chan Ping-kan and his wife are big fans.
shanghai finds favour
The Securities and Futures Commission is very keen on market transparency but one bit of openness has not gone down too well with the local media.
The watchdog's recently released 44-page quarterly report states: 'To help promote Hong Kong as a financial centre, senior SFC staff met with mainland media organisations during the quarter. Our chief operating officer [Peter Au-Yang] was interviewed by a delegation of Shanghai TV and publications in September ...''
Some local reporters have taken umbrage at this because Mr Au-Yang has not made himself available for interviews with the Hong Kong media since taking up the post in May last year.
Explaining the double standard, an SFC spokesman said Mr Au-Yang had given the interview as part of Hong Kong week activities in Shanghai but could not say when Mr Au-Yang would meet Hong Kong media.
Another example of one country, two systems, perhaps.
The report also shows that as well as clamping down on insider traders and market manipulators, the SFC finds time to look after those in need. In July, its volunteer group visited Home of Love in Shamshuipo to give away books and read stories to the children there. This was followed in September by a visit to the elderly in Eastern District to distribute moon cakes and lanterns.
hedge fund takes punt
It's not just Hong Kong punters who are keen to jump on the Macau concept bandwagon. Stark Investments, a United States-based hedge fund, entered the Hong Kong market for the first time last Thursday, paying about $30 million for a 5 per cent stake in main board-listed Medtech Group, drawn by the prospect of a booming gambling industry in the former Portuguese enclave.
Medtech Group raised $91.8 million through its share placement, which will be used for possible acquisition of properties and casino-related businesses.
30-something and you're in
Former executive director of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers Louisa Fong Wai-kam is back at work after a six-month break. Having left the organisation in April, she is now a consultant with HSBC Insurance.
She picked a good time to join the company, which celebrated its 30th anniversary with a party. The birthday cake must have tasted sweeter than normal because it also marked the end of a long wait for the insurer to apply for a licence to do business in the mainland, as only companies with a 30-year history are eligible.
