Hong Kong, August 12, 2008 - Hill & Knowlton Asia Pacific has announced the renewal of its assignment with UK Trade & Investment.

UK Trade & Investment is the UK Government's international business development organisation, supporting businesses seeking to establish themselves in the UK and helping UK companies grow internationally.

"We are proud that the UK government has renewed its contract with Hill & Knowlton. Three major forces are currently sweeping across Asia Pacific in the field of destination marketing: the globalisation of Asian brands particularly from China and India, increasing sophistication among business decision-makers and growing competition among developed nations for market share and influence across Asia Pacific. Hill & Knowlton has the expertise in destination marketing and the people to make a difference and create business impact," said Vivian Lines, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hill & Knowlton Asia Pacific.

"The last four years have been a rewarding journey with UK Trade & Investment, and we look forward to continuing to support them in their mission to increase the number of Asian companies leveraging the UK's unique advantages as a base for international business expansion," said Denise Maguire, Managing Director of Hill & Knowlton Hong Kong which leads the account.

 "We position the UK as the ideal springboard for global growth, and with the emergence of more and more world-class companies from the Asia Pacific region, we view this part of the world as key for us. Hill & Knowlton's professionalism and the breadth of its network of offices in Asia is a key partner in the success of our efforts to communicate what the UK has to offer to investors," said Jennifer Kavanagh, Marketing Director, Asia Pacific and South Africa, UK Trade & Investment.

Hill & Knowlton offers Foreign Direct Investment Solutions that develop winning strategies and increase international market share for governments and authorities in the competitive fight for trade, investment and tourism.