THE Hongkong and Shanghai Bank opened its fifth branch in Sri Lanka earlier this month. The new branch, which is in the Borella district of Colombo, offers a full range of retail banking services. THE chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Doctor Victor Fung, met with South African trade ministers this month to promote new trade ties. Hong Kong's trade with South Africa has increased from $5.9 billion in 1990 to $8.5 billion in 1992. NORTHWEST Airlines announced a net profit of HK$82 million and an operating profit of $538.4 million for the last quarter of 1993. The airline recently announced that is has filed an application with the US Department of Transport for permission to provide a scheduled service between Detroit and Ho Chi Minh City, with an intermediate stop in Tokyo. BENTLEY Reid and Thomas will hold a series of seminars for Australian expatriates and intending migrants. The seminars will cover tax planning after foreign investment fund legislation, onshore Australian investment and tax mitigation.