Bringing tech workers to Hong Kong not an option, Vietnamese IT outsourcing firm says
- NTQ Apac rules out importing its Vietnamese staff, backbone of its IT operation, because of high living costs and language barrier
A Vietnamese IT outsourcing firm with a regional base in Hong Kong has ruled out bringing in talent from the country under various government schemes, with lawmakers on a visit to the Southeast Asian nation playing down the decision.
Johnny Chong, CEO of NTQ Apac, said the company had decided not to import staff due to prohibitively high living costs and language barriers, after it discussed the possibility with Hong Kong clients and despite a shortage of tech talent in the local market.
“The bigger problem is that our cultures are different,” he said.
“The Vietnamese workers speak Vietnamese and English, and it might not be cost-effective for them to work here on local projects due to their [lack of] understanding of Hong Kong culture.”
Vietnamese tech workers can now get work visas through Hong Kong’s variety of talent schemes after the city government expanded eligibility criteria last October.
NTQ recently renamed its joint venture in the city to NTQ Apac as it set its sights on expansion in Southeast Asian markets, Australia and mainland China after it outbid domestic rivals for projects in South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong.
