G. Olivier: "The Chamber of Commerce helps companies to adapt to changes"

Gaelle Olivier, new president of the French Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, confides in Lepetitjournal.com on the challenges of his mandate.

"The vocation of the Chamber is to support the development of its members"

You have just been elected president of the French Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong.Can you remind us of the missions of the Chamber?

The missions are four in number.The first is to welcome members who arrive in Hong Kong for their administrative procedures, help them understand the market, the challenges and take their marks.Then we allow the network between the 800 members and with the local network.The third mission is to help members in their economic development.Finally, it is important to support member companies in the face of difficulties by providing the day before at a changing economic context.

"The COVVID was a major adaptation issue"

Legal environment changes in Hong Kong create a new context.How do companies feel the situation?

Admittedly, the legal context arouses questions but most of the issues of chamber entrepreneurs rather concern the COVVI.It has been almost two years that this situation and my predecessors have been very active on this theme has been lasting by continuing to animate distance events and conferences to allow actors to continue working despite the pandemic.In terms of relations with the government too, we are trying to assert the voice of member companies by drawing attention to the economic implications of certain decisions.We have also recently co-signed with the consulate a letter addressed to Carrie Lam to support the request for the passage of France from the group of high-risk countries to that of countries at average risk and obtain a reduction in the duration of quarantines.A conference with Edward Yau has finally enabled the Hong Kong government subsidies to which companies are entitled.

"Promoting diversity and responsible development are my priorities"

What are the priorities of your mandate?

I am already in the executive committee of the Chamber as vice-president and involved in its operation for two years.I am therefore comfortable with the directions taken both on the human aspect and content.The team is particularly dynamic and we will continue the work undertaken by my predecessors in a pragmatic and constructive spirit.The number of members is stable, despite the economic hazards linked to the pandemic, which is to be credited to our director, Sophie Leconte, and her team who knew how to adapt.Priority remains to support the economic development of members with increased accent on themes such as Sustainability, Green Finance and Social Finance.I also have at heart initiatives in favor of diversity such as "Heforshe" or responsible development with "Businessforgod", which seeks to anchor the creation of value in society.Concretely, the way companies integrate recycling into their value chain is a problem that we encourage.Thus on November 25, we organize the 11th symposium on the supply chain.With the pandemic, we have all observed the importance of the supply chain in the semiconductor sector for example.Today, the supply chain must be rethought in a more sustainable and ecological way.

"Perspectives in Hong Kong and Asia are promising"

What is the situation of French companies in Hong Kong?

Overall the companies we follow resist well.The results depend on the sectors. Évidemment le F&B a ressenti comme partout dans le reste du monde les conséquences de la distanciation mais beaucoup se sont adaptés.Hong Kong has the distinction of hosting regional seats, also profits are often produced in different regions of Asia as the luxury sector or that of finance.It is therefore not the specific situation of Hong Kong that impacts the results but rather the way in which groups have adapted to the pandemic on a regional scale.In this sense, large companies are privileged compared to individual entrepreneurs who are part of our members.In terms of immediate future, projects related to the Grande Baie area allow everyone to hope for a larger local market, open to China.On another level, the switch from most companies to a digital world that was in preparation was accelerated by the COVID.Most of the companies we know have been able to adapt very quickly to the new situation, blowing up certain mental blockages or patterns.Moreover, the room which worked a lot in face -to -face before the crisis because of its large network has accelerated the distant for two years with many organized webinaries.

"Women's access to education must be accompanied by corresponding opportunities"

As a woman, what do you think of the place of women in the business?

I would like this is no longer a subject but the fact that you ask the question and that we are implementing programs related to diversity indicates that it is necessary to maintain efforts to promote the work of women.There is a lot of progress and the success of women at the head of high visibility businesses is inspiring.Women represent half of humanity and it would be a shame not to capitalize on skills, experience and know-how.Beyond the question of women, companies must diversify their talents, in terms of sexes, cultures and social origins, by opening sometimes atypical routes in order to put all the odds on their side.In a survey carried out 10 years ago, the world's education gap between men and women was 2-3 years.There is therefore no reason to distinguish on the types of trades, the types of positions and opportunities.In Asia, diversity is relatively good in many countries that quickly include women through education.