AGF Management, the Canada-based investment management firm, has opened a new office in Hong Kong as part of its Asian expansion strategy for 2010.

AGF Investments Asia (Hong Kong) will be led by Wee Ping Nah as managing director, business development. Mr Wee will be responsible for building a team that would focus on the company's business development activities in the region, as well as provide client services for existing institutional clients.

Mr Wee began his career as a fixed-income capital markets analyst in 1997 and has since served key positions in the asset management industry, including selling to and servicing the likes of government funds, insurance firms, consultants and multi-managers.

"AGF has had a long relationship with the Asian community and Nah will build on that strong foundation," said Gary Wing, AGF senior vice president, institutional, in a statement. "His wealth of knowledge of the industry, the geography and the needs of institutional clients is key to AGF’s growth in the region."

AGF Asset Management Asia is the firm's existing office in Singapore and has served as a regional base for investors in Asian markets. The addition of a new office in Hong Kong signals the company's commitment to taking part of the region's rapid growth, amid returning investor appetite.

As of 30 November 2009, the global AGF brand reported $44.6 billion in assets under management, a 25.5 per cent rise from the previous corresponding period.