The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), a 130,000-strong engineering society for professional engineers, has selected Hong Kong as the springboard for its exciting growth plans in the Asia Pacific region.

The IEE, a Europe-based engineering society, opened in Hong Kong Wednesday a regional headquarters, which provides a base for launching its services, such as the world-class information service -- the Inspec database -- into this increasingly important part of the engineering community.

Mike Sterling, president of IEE, was in Hong Kong for the official opening of the office Wednesday. Director-General of Invest Hong Kong Mike Rowse, was invited as the officiating guest.

Sterling said, "In many developed countries the popularity of engineering as a career is under pressure and employers in some fields are reporting serious difficulties in recruiting appropriately qualified staff. In the Asia Pacific region, however, expansion is still strong and growing ever stronger."

He added," It is important, therefore, for the IEE to strengthen its presence in the Asia Pacific area. For instance, in China, new entrants for engineering courses exceed the total of all new undergraduates in Britain."

Rowse welcomed IEE's opening of its regional headquarters in Hong Kong. He said: "Hong Kong remains the excellent springboard for international companies and organizations to access the Chinese mainland and the rest of East Asia."

Rowse added, "Hong Kong's engineering professionals will clearly benefit from the services provided by the IEE, which will help maintain and enhance the level of Hong Kong's business and professional services at a global standard."

"IEE's investment reinforces Invest Hong Kong's objective of attracting professional bodies as well as companies to strengthen Hong Kong as an advanced regional services hub," he said.

The IEE provides a range of services to enable the professional development of engineers across a broad spectrum of disciplines. Its branch in Hong Kong has a very active membership of 6,000.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2003)