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A survey conducted among senior corporate leaders and policymakers participating in BusinessWeek's 11th Annual Asia Leadership Forum revealed that 70 per cent of those responding view Hong Kong's current investment environment as "very advantageous" or "advantageous" for attracting inward investment.
Several factors contributing to the positive investment climate in Hong Kong were rated "very good" or "good" by more than 70 per cent of the respondents. These factors included political stability and security, rule of law and an independent judiciary, corruption free government, infrastructure, press and information freedom, a sturdy banking and financial system and a low and simple tax regime.
In terms of the quality of life, Hong Kong's public security, transport facilities and varieties of cuisine were singled out for praise by the Forum participants.
Invest Hong Kong is the co-presenter of the event which closed today (June 26). Commenting on the results of the survey, the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, said: "Invest Hong Kong is delighted that Asian corporate leaders recognise and appreciate Hong Kong's highly favourable features and rate it an attractive place to do business."
"The findings of the survey will encourage our continuing efforts to confirm and strengthen Hong Kong as the leading international business location in Asia," Mr Rowse added.
The Asia Leadership Forum is BusinessWeek's flagship event in Asia. Entitled "Transcending Hierarchy: Leadership in an Empowered World", the event concluded today after two days of seminars, work sessions and lectures attended by some 300 senior corporate leaders and policymakers from 15 countries.
The group examined the changing concept of leadership at a time when consumers, employees and entire communities are empowered by the forces of technology, globalisation and democratisation.
The Director General-Designate, World Trade Organisation and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi; former President of the Republic of the Philippines Fidel Ramos, and the Chairman, CEO and President of Sybase, USA, Mr John Chen, served as honorary co-chairs of the Forum.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, delivered a keynote address this morning. Other speakers included BusinessWeek's Asia Regional Editor, Mr Mark Clifford; Vice President of CIENA Corporation, Mr Claude Achcar, and CEO of GRIC Communications, Dr Hong Chen.
For programme details of BusinessWeek's 11th Annual Asia Leadership Forum, please click to the website www.dnmstrategies.com.
End/Wednesday, June 26, 2002
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