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Hong Kong has been selected as the host city of the Forbes Global CEO Conference, a large-scale international business conference for leading decision makers within the global business community.
The event is scheduled for Spring 2004. It is the second time that this high-profile conference will come to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The President, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes, Mr Steve Forbes, and the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, held a signing ceremony today (June 28) to announce Hong Kong as the city of choice for this international event.
Invest Hong Kong will be the host sponsor of the Conference.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, presided over the contract signing.
Mr Leung welcomed Mr Forbes back to Hong Kong and the return of the Forbes Global CEO Conference to the city.
Mr Forbes was pleased that Hong Kong will be the site city of next year's Global CEO Conference.
Mr Forbes said: "We are honoured and delighted that Hong Kong will be host city of next year's Forbes Global CEO Conference. The fact that this will be the third year in a row that we are hosting this event in China - Hong Kong last year, Shanghai this year and Hong Kong next year - is testimony to the growing importance of the China market to the global economy. Hong Kong, the gateway to China and the region, and a model to other economies for its low income tax rate regime, is an ideal location to bring together business leaders from around the world."
Mr Rowse said, "The Forbes Global CEO Conference is one of the most prestigious and recognised events of its kind. As part of the government's Economic Relaunch initiative, it provides the ideal opportunity to further raise Hong Kong's international profile, promote awareness of our city as an investment destination and attract international business."
He stressed that Hong Kong's excellent infrastructure, high-class venues and cosmopolitan way of life make it an excellent destination for international events like these.
The Forbes Global CEO Conference 2004 will attract regional and global Chief Executive Officers and Presidents, as well as other senior executives from Asia, Europe and the United States.
This is the fourth annual Forbes Global CEO Conference since 2001. The conference was held in Singapore in 2001, Hong Kong in 2002. The third annual Forbes Global CEO Conference is scheduled to be held in Shanghai this coming September 2003.
As regards other major Forbes' events, Mr Rowse said, "We are also proud to host the Award Dinner Ceremony for 'Best under a Billion', Forbes Global's 200 Best Small Companies in late autumn here.
"The event will recognise outstanding Asia Pacific companies with revenues below US$1 billion. Small and medium-sized enterprises are among our key targets to attract to Hong Kong for establishing a business presence."
Invest Hong Kong will also sponsor the Forbes US 2003 CEO Forum to be held in Richmond, Virginia on October 1 - 3.
This Forum in the US will help promote Hong Kong's advantages to CEOs and leading business executives in one of Hong Kong's most important markets.
About Invest Hong Kong
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Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's one-stop shop for investment support services. It provides contacts, facilitates liaison with relevant government departments and organisations, and strives to solve problems encountered by foreign-owned and Mainland firms in establishing or expanding business presence here.
About Forbes
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Forbes is the publisher of "Forbes", the leading US business magazine, and its international edition, "Forbes Global", which together have a worldwide audience of nearly five million readers, topping one million in total circulation. In 2003 the company launched "Forbes China" and "Forbes Korea", which join with "Forbes Global" and the Japanese edition, "Forbes Nihonban", for a combined circulation of 272,000 in Asia.
Forbes also publishes the popular lifestyle supplement "FYI". Other company divisions include Forbes.com; Forbes Management Conference Group; and Forbes Custom Communications Partners, which also encompasses "American Heritage"; "American Legacy"; and "American Heritage of Invention & Technology" magazines.
End/Saturday, June 28, 2003
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