************************************************************
A European-based smoking cessation therapy network recently launched its first Asian operation in Hong Kong. I Quit Smoking (IQS) is the registered Hong Kong master franchise of a European-based company Quit Smoking International, an international franchise network offering therapy to help people quit smoking.
In view of the growing awareness on health among the community and the Government's commitment to control smoking, the company sees tremendous business opportunities in the market for health-related therapies.
The Managing Director of IQS, Mr Gary Clark, explained, "Hong Kong has demonstrated increasing focus on community health and fitness. In particular, it is focusing on the risks of tobacco smoke and is introducing anti-smoking legislation in January 2007. In this regard, Hong Kong is leading the way in Asia. And yet there seem to be very few services on offer to actually help smokers quit. This is a great opportunity for IQS Hong Kong to offer a valuable service to the local community."
He pointed out that the launch in Hong Kong was an important first step for the company's Asia strategy. "Hong Kong is our springboard to expand in the Asia Pacific region. This is our first Asian operation and will become the Reference Centre for the region."
Fully confident in IQS's business development in Hong Kong, Mr Clark said, "The Smoking Cessation Service is the first step in a series of services that will be offered to improve community health and lifestyle. Apart from our head office located in Central, we anticipate that we will open an additional 10 clinics in Hong Kong in the next five years."
The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, congratulated IQS on the opening of its first Asian operation. He said, "We are pleased to see the arrival of new, targeted healthcare services providers like IQS in Hong Kong. They do not only offer a wider variety of services for our community, but also bring along new professional skills as the companies employ and train our local talent.
"On behalf of Invest Hong Kong, I would like to extend a warm welcome to IQS, and wish them every success in the future."
Quit Smoking International, the parent company of IQS, was established six years ago with its patented therapy for Smoking Cessation. It has successfully launched over 300 centres throughout Europe, the Middle East and the US. For more information, please visit the website at www.iqsintl.com or www.iqshongkong.com.
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish or expand a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, January 4, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:26
NNNN
