Newspaper diary of Paragon head

Thalej Vasishta, Managing Director of Paragon Law, has recently committed a diary of his time spent in China setting up the Shanghai office to print. Below is an extract of the article published in the Nottingham Evening Post:

SUNDAY: I arrive in China late Sunday evening on a mission to secure offices for Paragon Law’s first Shanghai operation. This office will help us better service the many Chinese businesses with UK divisions and businesses that want to establish in china, which we advise as a niche immigration law firm.

MONDAY: In spite of my late arrival, I wake early to meet with Ling, our country manager and our first Shanghai employee. Ling spent two weeks prior to my arrival shortlisting potential office spaces for me to view, and today I am viewing nine. I have to say I’m taken aback by the sheer number of Grade A office premises in Shanghai.

Vieing premises in Pudong and Puxi, a sense of urgency comes over me as, without a business address, you can’t proceed with formal registration of your operations in China. Satisfied at having shortlisted three properties, Ling and I enjoy jazz music and wine in Shanghai’s bustling backstreets.

TUESDAY: Our first meeting’s at 10am and I take advantage of this by relaxing with a swim in the hotel pool, followed by breakfast and calls to my office in India. At 10:30am I meet lawyers and accountants to discuss setting up Paragon Law in China. With clarity achieved after gallons of green tea, the advisers are instructed to proceed with the project.

Ling and I visit the three shortlisted properties, which become two, and we enter negotiations with agents of both properties. In a pace unknown for the UK by 6pm, two have become one and we’ve signed a lease in an office block as Plaza 66 in the Puxi district.

Ling’s satisfied with the location commercially, but also its proximity to Shanghai’s best shopping malls.

Personally I’m impressed with our 39th floor view- it’s a world away from Broad Street in Nottingham.

WEDNESDAY: We meet Shanghai representative of China British Business Council (CBBC) which is really a ‘getting to know each other’ exercise and a look at how both organisations can work more closely together.

I am honoured to attend lunch with the owner of the Grand Shinghai Ramada Plaza where I am staying.

The afternoon sees a meeting with the senior partner of a large commercial law firm in Shinghai to discuss a closer working relationship and in particular, how he can assist one of my clients who is entering the china market from India and wants intellectual property rights protection.

In the evening I’m guest of honour again – twice in one day – at a most memorable dinner hosted by the chairman of East Asia Holding (Group) Company.

THURSDAY: Many meetings with a considerable sized government-owned Chinese immigration/migration company, to discuss initial terms of a contract for us to act as adviser for the business and its clients.

FRIDAY: Friday finds me on an entry drive to Ningo to carry out an Immigration Law seminar to students at the Nottingham University Ningbo Campus. So as to prepare me, I’d been warned not to expect many students as it was exam time, but the lecture theatre is completely full with just under 100 students wanting to learn about UK Immigration Law and opportunities to work in the UK, study or set up in business.

SATURDAY: My first lie in. In the evening I meet my good friend Yogesh Wagh who is the general manager for Purico in china. Yogesh became a good friend of mine when I advised Purico in respect of his work permit when he was in the UK and then shortly after that, he was transferred to the China operations, where he has now settled.

SUNDAY: Sunday’s a day of rest, though we travel early to Hong Zhou (the beautiful city), which doesn’t disappoint, then to the Ling Ying temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the South of China.

In the evening we’re hosted a dinner by the honorary Counsel of Nepal in Shanghai who has also become a good friend. I am introduced to the honorary Counsel of India. The evening’s spent discussing trade between India and china and opportunities.

http://www.judicialappointmentstraining.co.uk/

(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)