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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, said today (November 25) that Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region held a unique position in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (Pan-PRD) region. It is strategically located because it is close to ASEAN countries. It also serves as a gateway to the southwestern provinces. Hong Kong can strengthen its connections with southwestern regions by working together with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Dr Fung's remarks came during the GPRD Business Council's visit to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. He said Hong Kong had been working with Guangdong Province for many years. "It is now a good time to extend our co-operation experience to cover the Pan-PRD region. The Pan-PRD regional co-operation has significantly enlarged Hong Kong's economic catchment area and market," he said.
"At the same time, Hong Kong offers a good platform to attract Mainland enterprises in the region to raise capital in Hong Kong and to make use of the professional services provided in Hong Kong as a base for exploring the international market."
The delegation, led by Dr Fung, visited Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from November 23 to 25. This is the first time that the council has visited the region. It aims to deepen council members' understanding of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Pan-PRD region, and to strengthen connections with southwestern regions.
The delegation met Party Secretary of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr Cao Bochun on November 23. At the meeting, Dr Fung introduced the work of the council. The two sides also exchanged views on ways to step up connections between Hong Kong, Guangxi and the Pan-PRD region.
The delegation also visited Hong Kong-invested enterprises and Hong Kong-Guangxi joint-venture enterprises in Qinzhou Municipality and Beihai Municipality, and the ports of the two cities. In addition, the delegation visited Hong Kong-invested enterprises in Nanning to understand their investment situation.
Dr Fung said the visit had deepened the Business Council's understanding of the development of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Pan-PRD region. "This is very useful for our co-operation with the two regions in future. The visit has been very successful. The delegation and myself are grateful for the assistance of the Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in arranging the visit."
Members of the delegation included members of the GPRD Business Council, staff officers, representatives of 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.
Ends/Friday, November 25, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:01
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