As the Gold Coast continues to lure more international investors, local firms are sharpening their foreign language skills to ensure more effective and efficient communication with clients from around the globe.

Hickey Lawyers is a prime example, now boasting five team members capable of speaking a variety of languages from Russian to Mandarin and Arabic.

Hong Kong born partner Simon Chan and solicitor Marianne Munford both speak Cantonese and Mandarin, Russian born partner Allan Mitnovetsky is fluent in Russian, while partner David Nematalla speaks Arabic.

Megumi Kanematsu, who has been with the firm for 15 years, is fluent in Japanese and manages all dealings with Japanese speaking clients and contacts.

Hickey Lawyers managing partner Tony Hickey said in today’s global economy it was becoming increasingly important to offer foreign speaking capabilities.

“We are receiving more enquiries from internationals looking to purchase property on the Gold Coast, whether major companies seeking large commercial assets or other  investors wanting to buy residential property,” he said.

“Whereas in the past the majority of enquiries have come from one or two international locations, we are now dealing with potential investors from across the globe.

“As such, it is becoming more important to have staff capable of speaking a variety of languages so we have the ability to deal direct with these clients, rather than through an interpreter, which ensures matters are dealt with promptly.”

Mr Mitnovetsky, the only fluent Russian speaking lawyer in his field on the Gold Coast, has worked extensively with Russian nationals investing and doing business in Australia.

“Real estate agents continue to field more enquiries from Russians, particularly for new development projects, and, with an increasing number making the move to Australia, they are also investing in other ways, such as starting up new businesses,” he said.

“It is important that as a city we can meet the needs of these investors who, particularly in the current economic climate, help to ensure the strength of our property market and drive our economy.”

Mr Chan said investors from China are a significant contributor to the Gold Coast economy.

“China has become a major powerhouse of the global economy and therefore we are dealing more and more with companies and investors from there,” he said.

“Investment from China is set to grow even more in coming years and therefore we need to be on the front foot in terms of having the available resources ready to deal with and capture this market.”