One Man Gateway to Asia Pacific

By Victor Cattermole, Asia Pacific Bureau Chief
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This week I interviewed Kelly Tong from famous tri athlete sportswear company Orca. I met Kelly originally around 1999 on my first trip to Hong Kong.

Mr. Kelly Tong – BA (Hons.), Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Originally from Malaysia (a New Zealand Citizen and permanent resident of Hong Kong), completed his tertiary education at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand - holding degrees in Public Administration and Asian Studies (BA Hons) and a Master degree in Public Policy (MPP) from the School of Government at Victoria University of Wellington.

He then started his career with the Department of Trade and Industry in Wellington, New Zealand. During his time in the department, he was involved in all aspects of trade and commerce work viz. import licensing, price and stabilisation, trade policy and export services and was also a member of New Zealand Trade Delegations for Trade Talks, both in New Zealand and overseas. Kelly represented the department in various committees and inter- departmental committees and was also involved in speech writing, for the Rt Hon Phil Goff who was Trade Minister at the time, and various research and project assignments.

Kelly resigned from the New Zealand Government to take up a consulting position in the private sector in Wellington. he acted as Adviser in trade matters, particularly assisting Asian business people to explore investment opportunities in New Zealand liaising with relevant government departments. Kelly was also involved in marketing New Zealand products overseas, assisting in research and development and writing Business and Marketing Plans for clients.

Kelly was a member of the New Zealand - Taiwan Business Council delegation at the inaugural meeting in Taipei in 1987 and was one of the speakers, speaking on trade and investments in New Zealand.

Kelly then traveled extensively in Asia for business and in 1992, decided to move to Hong Kong when he was offered an opportunity to work as an Investment – Business Adviser for high net worth individuals and corporations – helping to develop and implement business and marketing planning process for them. He brought to the companies experience gained in New Zealand, and an understanding which included trade, finance, business development and network of clients. During his time in Hong Kong he also worked (acting Resident Adviser) for a US business consulting firm, which saw him making several business trips to the US, Uganda, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Australia, China, Malaysia and Singapore.

For one year, he was the Managing Director of a Hong Kong Internet company (1998-1999). In that year the company was voted 3rd best ISP in Hong Kong.

Following that he was appointed as an Associate Director (Marketing) of a US$200 million dollar Hedge Fund Management company in Hong Kong promoting the company’s funds around the Region (1999-2004).

Working in strategic business development, he attended conferences and meetings overseas. Kelly was an adviser of a VOIP company in Hong Kong and traveled to Madrid, London, Dublin and the Philippines to explore and identify new market opportunities this company.

After completing this project Kelly joined famous iron man clothing company Orca owned by New Zealand entrepreneur and former world tri athlete Scott Unsworth. Orca sponsors several leading iron men and women: Cameron Brown (7 times New Zealand champion and 2006 European Ironman Champion), Debbie Tanner and Kris Gemmell, both ITU World Cup winners, to name just a few.

Kelly has strong commercial and organisational skills with experience in the trade and in the diplomatic field, he is proficient with corporate structures and familiar with Western/Asian customs and protocols. Kelly keeps up with current political affairs and events and enjoys working with all cultures. He is flexible, diplomatic and reliable, and has a good working knowledge of emerging IT/e Commerce and telecommunication trends, government policies and general World trade issues. Involvement in these industries has given him a very good understanding of what clients are looking for.

Kelly works closely with the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise officials in Hong Kong and keeps abreast with current World events and major issues and is a firm believer in sustainable development policies – particularly in environmental issues.

Apart from English, Kelly speaks Chinese, Malay and Bahasa Indonesia.

Kelly is active in Church ministries and leads and participates in Church programs (Bible studies) and also has led a Church cell group for 5 years in Hong Kong. His wife, Irene, is an Artist. She has given 2 Exhibitions in New Zealand and some of her paintings are exhibited in a small gallery in Hong Kong. They have three great daughters, all born in New Zealand.

Like most Kiwis he is a keen sports fan and an ardent follower of the All Blacks, Cricket, Football, Golf and Tennis.

Kelly is often consulted by New Zealand government to assist business looking to open in to the Hong Kong and China markets. A valuable contact with networks all over Asia.

 

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