APCO Associates, a global public affairs agency, has launched an Asian division.
The Washington-based agency, which is part of Grey Advertising, has set up APCO Asia in Hong Kong to help its clients, mainly US and European multi-nationals, who want to expand their presence in the region.
APCO helps clients with government relations, corporate positioning, market access, intellectual property and by providing other business development advice.
In July, the agency entered into an alliance with the China Economic and Trade Corporation, an independent arm of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co- operation. The alliance helps foreign companies identify possible partners in China.
Mark Michelson, managing director of APCO Asia, said it was important to establish an Asian headquarters to allow the agency to service its global clients. He said the company forecast a turnover of $10 million this year.
'Most of our clients are private sector organisations who are in Asia or who want to start up in Asia,' he said.