Women From Overseas Rate Asia Among Top Places to Live and Work, According to Global Survey

SINGAPORE, March 7, 2011 - Singapore and Hong Kong have been ranked among the most popular global
destination to relocate to, with 100 percent of professional women surveyed
saying they would recommend working there to others. Women are increasingly
considering these locations because of the low crime rate, tax incentives,
excellent lifestyle, and opportunities for personal development in the
region.

(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110307/441554 )

In the global survey, respondents placed Singapore joint fifth with
Canada in ranking the most popular destinations (after the US, UK, Australia
and Switzerland) and Hong Kong was joint sixth with France and the UAE.

The Global Professionals on the Move Report 2011, commissioned by the
Hydrogen Group and conducted by a consultancy project team from ESCP Europe,
analyses responses from 2,637 professionals from 85 different countries with
qualifications of a bachelor degree or above. With the majority of
respondents - 91 percent -already working abroad or looking to do so, the
survey offers unique insights into the experiences, attitudes, motivations
and priorities of highly qualified, high earning, professionals from around
the world on working overseas.

Simon Walker, Hydrogen Asia Regional Managing Director, said, "94 percent
of the overall survey respondents who'd moved to Asia said their living
conditions had improved with the move and 86 percent had improved their
salary as a result of moving here. The report confirms working overseas to be
an extremely positive experience and offers fresh insight into factors
affecting the number of women progressing in business. The report highlights
that they are not getting as much international experience as men, which
hinders their career progression, despite international companies actively
seeking out their talents.

"We've noticed an increase in the number of women from overseas taking
advantage of the career opportunities offered here. Banking sectors in
particular are looking to source experienced female professionals from a
global talent pool."

Simon explained that many global firms were setting up headquarters in
Singapore, or expanding their operations to include branch offices in
South-East Asia.

With 42% of Singapore's population made up of expats and overseas
students, it's not surprising that 80 percent of the professionals surveyed
found it easy to settle in and make new friends.

"The culture of inclusion is strong here, and new global recruits are
warmly welcomed. Our female candidates tell us that lifestyle and settling in
quickly is just as important to them as improving their salary. South-East
Asia ticks all the boxes," said Abigail Waudby, Hydrogen Asia Director.

Tim Smeaton, Chief Executive Officer of Hydrogen Group, said, "We are
seeing companies in South-East Asia planning their workforces strategically
to incorporate the new global culture of working. They recognise the need for
gender diversity and equality, and also realise that by employing
professional women from a global talent pool, they are future-proofing their
business.

"We envisage global mobility will play a greater role in people's career
decisions moving forward and produce the report to determine shifts in
candidate perceptions of overseas working. We've moved 40 of our own
employees around our global offices in the last 18 months, so we understand
the issues faced by both our candidates and clients when advising them about
relocation," he said.

Notes to Editors

The second annual Global Professionals on the Move Report 2011 is
available online at www.hydrogengroup.com

Media Contacts

Joanna Chumas - PR Asia +44-785-554-7710
joanna@communicationsmanagement.co.uk

Abigail Waudby - Director Hydrogen Asia +65-6597-5163
abigailwaudby@hydrogengroup.com

Simon Walker - Regional MD Hydrogen Asia +65-6597-5169
simonwalker@htydrogengroup.com

Joanna Chumas - PR Asia +44-785-554-7710, joanna at communicationsmanagement.co.uk Abigail Waudby - Director Hydrogen Asia +65-6597-5163, abigailwaudby at hydrogengroup.com Simon Walker - Regional MD Hydrogen Asia +65-6597-5169, simonwalker at htydrogengroup.com