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(The following is issued on behalf of the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council:)
Chairman of the Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD) Business Council, Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king, today (November 23) led a delegation to visit Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The three-day visit aims to provide a chance for council members to better understand the region's economic development and promote further economic and trade co-operation between the private sectors.
The delegation this morning met the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, and members of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Guangdong Sub-council. They discussed ways to enhance Hong Kong/Guangdong co-operation and exchanged views on co-operation in areas of concern to both sides, including facilitating cross-boundary people and cargo flow; promoting and facilitating investment and trade; implementing Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA); encouraging Guangdong enterprises to set up business in Hong Kong; and improving air quality.
Dr Fung also briefed the provincial government on two new topical studies being conducted by the council this year, including Guangdong's industrial restructuring and the related opportunities and challenges to Hong Kong business community; and the development of Pearl River West and its impact on Hong Kong. The purpose of the studies is to identify the areas in which Hong Kong should make preparation in light of developments.
"China's entry to the World Trade Organization has brought about business opportunities to both the Mainland and Hong Kong," Dr Fung told the meeting. "Following the trend of globalisation, the fluctuation of external economic forces will greatly impact on both Guangdong and Hong Kong. The two places must step up co-operation and strive to achieve substantive results to enhance competitiveness of the region as a whole.
"As well as the pace of structural change in enterprises of the country, new industrialisation and urbanisation are accelerating. To keep pace with the development of the country as a whole, Guangdong and Hong Kong must develop in the direction of high value-added, knowledge-based economy and work together to enhance the standard of environment, science and technology, innovation and talents in the region."
The delegation also visited Guangzhou Science City where they were briefed on the latest development of science and technology enterprises in Guangdong.
Dr Fung said that the visit had deepened the council's understanding of economic development in Guangdong Province. This would be useful for the council's work in promoting Hong Kong/Guangdong co-operation in future. He thanked the Guangdong Provincial Government, CCPIT Guangdong Sub-council and HKSAR Government's Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong for their help in lining up and ensuring the smooth running of the programme. The delegation has 20 members, including members of the GPRD Business Council, staff officers and representatives of the HKSAR Government's Hong Kong Guangdong Co-operation Co-ordination Unit, HKSAR Government's Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong and Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
The delegation will leave for Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region later today.
Ends/Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:29
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