Japan's Fukui Prefectural Government has opened its first independent office in Hong Kong.

The office's director Yoshikazu Kitagawa said it will play a strategic role in helping Fukui's growing industries expand their overseas markets, adding its mission is to collect and analyse the latest economic data for them.

"Hong Kong is situated in the heart of Asia, serving as the information, trade and distribution centre of China and Asia. The city plays a key role in helping us understand the situation in our target markets, in particular China and East Asia," he said.

The office will also be responsible for arranging promotion activities and exhibitions with other Fukui offices overseas, and promote the prefecture to Hong Kong tourists.

Fukui's previous representation in Hong Kong was established in 1991 as part of the common office of the Japan External Trade Organisation. The prefecture has a population of 830,000 and GDP of 3 trillion yen. Its main industries include textiles, spectacle frames and machinery.

HK ranks 4th in Fukui's export market

Mr Kitagawa said Hong Kong, as a key market for textile and optical industries, will serve as a strategic location to keep abreast of the latest market developments. With its proximity to Guangdong province, Hong Kong plays an important role as the central source of market information and activities.

Hong Kong was the fourth largest export market for Fukui in 2002, following the Mainland, the US and South Korea. Twenty textile, optical and chemical companies from Fukui have established their management and business base in Hong Kong and have production centres on the Mainland.

InvestHK Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Simon Galpin said Fukui's new office reinforces Hong Kong's role as the key business hub in Asia.

"With the rule of law and free flow of information - combined with our unmatched location and excellent financial, telecommunications and transportation infrastructure - Hong Kong remains the premier location for both public and private sector organisations to establish and expand their operations in Asia."