SYDNEY: AMR Interactive has closed its Hong Kong office, and will
operate its regional research services from Sydney. The move comes less
than one year after the research company launched its Asian
operations.
However, a senior executive at the company denied that the decision to
close the Hong Kong office was due to the slowdown in business.
"Things are difficult in Asia at the moment, but the reason we decided
this was because it made more sense to handle all clients from here
(Sydney)," said Steve Garton, former chief executive officer of the
company's Hong Kong office.
He said that in the past AMR had conducted most of its work from
Australia, drawing on its Hong Kong operation only when necessary.
"We will carry on servicing the same clients from Sydney. Part of the
decision was based on the change that I would be taking on an additional
role at the Sydney operation. And we were fortunate to have a lean
operation - just one other staff apart from myself - so it was rather
simple to move.
"We live in a virtual world and there is no reason we can not service
our clients just as well from Sydney using email and phones.
"From the client's standpoint, there will not be much change."
