US-based Cotton Incorporated announced the grand opening of its regional office in Hong Kong in May.

Cotton Incorporated is the research and marketing company representing US upland cotton, providing solutions to supply chain partners to influence the use of cotton. Its mission is to build the demand for and profitability of cotton worldwide. The new regional office in Hong Kong offers technical services for mills and manufacturers in the region. It also provides information on cotton supply and demand, fibre quality and consumer research trends as well as product trend analysis services which include sourcing specialists and supplier information.

The office employs 10 full-time professional staff with knowledge of product development, supply chain manufacturing and sourcing in the cotton industry. It will also host industry experts from the US who will visit regularly to service clients' specific needs, such as trend forecasting, sourcing, textile innovations, better quality cotton, market research and consumer information.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Cotton Incorporated, Mr. J. Berrye Worsham, said, "We have been doing business in China for over 20 years. Last year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our permanent office in Shanghai. We are committed to doing business in China and have several programs in place; both with the trade and in educating consumers on the benefits of cotton. To further solidify our efforts, Cotton Incorporated is opening an international office in Hong Kong this May. This office will allow us a central location among key mills and manufacturers in this very important region."

Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Mr. Mike Rowse, welcomed the opening of the company's regional office in Hong Kong. He said, "I'm very pleased that Cotton Incorporated chose to locate their regional office in our city. Hong Kong, located at the heart of Asia's growth economies and gateway to Mainland China, continues to remain the preferred base in Asia for foreign companies to oversee their regional operations. Every year since records began in 2002 the number of regional headquarters and regional offices in Hong Kong has grown. At the end of 2007 Hong Kong was home to a record 1,246 regional headquarters and 2,644 regional offices. I wish Cotton Incorporated every success with their new business which will be in good company."