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Invest Hong Kong introduces the "Business Concierge Service Scheme" - offering a list of pre-qualified service providers for potential investors interested in establishing themselves in Hong Kong and exploring business opportunities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region.

The scheme has been developed to promote the strategic role of Hong Kong as the ideal location for foreign investors, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to set up an office to oversee business operations in the PRD. Services under the scheme will be provided by service providers in the private sector, and cover a whole range of business development and support services in the planning, organisation and implementation of inbound visit programme for potential investors to the PRD via Hong Kong.

The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ophelia Tsang, said, "With the new opportunities brought by CEPA and China's entry into WTO - together with Hong Kong's established role as the two-way platform for business between the Mainland and the rest of the world -- foreign investors are increasingly interested in exploring business and investment opportunities in the Mainland, especially the Pearl River Delta region.

"With this new scheme, potential foreign investors will be able to conduct visits to the Pearl River Delta, directly arranged by the pre-qualified service providers."

The department has invited proposals and conducted a prequalification exercise. A list of qualified Business Concierge Service Providers has been compiled and will be made available to interested companies and individuals.

To qualify, service providers have to demonstrate proficiency and experience in organising business and investment visit programmes; solid business exposure in China; and a strong network with enterprises and officials in the Pearl River Delta region to support and facilitate visits by potential investors to the PRD region. The scope of services provided by the service provider will include:

* Planning, organising, and implementing the visit programme, including a briefing by Invest Hong Kong and a cross-border trip to the PRD to visit enterprises and institutions;

* Arranging and providing all necessary logistics support; and

* Arranging and facilitating meetings with PRD government officials, key business partners and suppliers.

Investors will have sole discretion on whether to use the service and the selection of service provider. Their choice does not have to be limited to those on the concierge list.

"We believe that the Business Concierge Service will provide potential investors with value added assistance in making more informed decisions about their investment in the Greater PRD region, i.e. setting up an office in Hong Kong to oversee business operations in the PRD. Invest Hong Kong will continue to provide free advice and information to new and current foreign investors, with the aim to attract and retain foreign investment in Hong Kong," Ms Tsang said.

Foreign companies interested in learning more about business opportunities in the Greater Pearl River Delta region, including Hong Kong, are encouraged to contact the investment relations experts at Invest Hong Kong by email enq@investhk.gov.hk or visit our website www.investhk.gov.hk.

Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating foreign investment into the city by providing all the support needed to establish a business presence here.

Ends/Friday, June 4, 2004

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