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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (May 29) told Czech business people that Hong Kong was the best place in East Asia for developing their operations.
Addressing an executive business lunch in the Czech capital, Prague, he outlined opportunities for Czech companies in the wider Asia region, particularly in China, and explained Hong Kong's role in helping them access these opportunities.
Mr Tsang quoted the Financial Times' magazine on Foreign Direct Investment that every two years names an "Asian City of the Future" from among 60 contenders.
"Hong Kong - against stiff competition - has topped the last two surveys," Mr Tsang said.
"The author of the report called Hong Kong 'A member of the elite group of truly world-class cities on a par with London, New York and Paris'. He (the author) added that 'Hong Kong continues to fend off pretenders to its Asian throne' and, he concluded, 'the unique advantage Hong Kong provides ... is not to be underestimated: come and get a piece of the China action, but from a safe, stable and familiar base camp'."
The Financial Secretary said a "safe, stable and familiar base camp" meant low taxes, small government, superb location, the best and most reliable technology, communications, transport infrastructure and, of course, top quality people.
When Hong Kong's proximity to and experience in doing business with China were added, he said he felt sure the audience would appreciate the benefits of locating there.
After the lunch, Mr Tsang met the Governor of the Czech National Bank, Mr Zdenek Tuma, to discuss latest developments and brief him on Hong Kong and the region.
He will continue his visit to Prague tomorrow and witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Czech Bar Association, then meet the Czech Minister of Finance, Mr Miroslav Kalousek.
Ends/Thursday, May 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:51
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