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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels organised a business seminar in Sofia today (March 12). The seminar "Hong Kong – Your high speed connection to China opportunities", which was well attended by over a hundred local businessmen, aimed to allow Bulgarian businessmen to gain first hand information about Hong Kong's latest economic developments and how Hong Kong can help Bulgarian companies seize the many business opportunities in China and Asia.
Miss Mary Chow, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Communities, highlighted in her opening remarks the latest developments in Hong Kong and the advantages that Hong Kong can offer to businessmen. "Hong Kong has its own separate and convertible currency, a simple and low tax system, legal protection for contracts and intellectual property rights, a high standard of transparency, a corruption free business environment, good infrastructure and a comprehensive range of business support services for businessmen," said Miss Chow. "Being a gateway to the Mainland, Hong Kong offers rich expertise and experience for supporting foreign companies interested in entering the Chinese market. The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), which is a free trade agreement signed between Hong Kong and Mainland China, offers favourable trading and investment conditions to Hong Kong-based companies when they want to enter the Mainland market."
Mr Winchell Cheung, Director, Germany and Central Europe of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Frankfurt introduced the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's full range of services available to Bulgarian businesses. He also encouraged Bulgarian companies to take advantage of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's 30 plus international trade fairs to source or market their products. "We can help you tap the growing opportunity in China through our integrated services", said Mr Winchell Cheung. "For the fourth time, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council is bringing Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta to your region. And you don't have to travel all the way to Hong Kong to see some of the best lifestyle products. Our Lifestyle Expo will take place from September 21 to 23 in Warsaw this year; and some 180 suppliers from Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region will showcase their wide range of quality products with very competitive prices, including electronics, gifts and premiums, houseware and electrical appliances."
Mr Siegfried Verstappen, Senior Investment Promotion Executive, Invest Hong Kong, further elaborated the advantages that Hong Kong offers to investors. "Hong Kong offers strategic advantages to those companies wishing to expand their business activities, not only in Mainland China, but in the Asia Pacific Region. Its key location grants access to the countries in the region within five hour's flight, making Hong Kong the preferred location for regional headquarters. Hong Kong is a safe place to do business with a high level of legal protection and efficient tax structure, not to mention its high-skilled labour force."
Other speakers included Mr Angel Orbetcov, Director of Asia, and Australia and Oceania Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria; Mr Bojidar Bojinov, Chairman, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Mr Kiril Jeliazkov, Executive Director, Specialized Business Systems AD, who is also Deputy-President of Bulgarian Branch Association of Electronic Industry and Informatics. Participants had a good exchange of views and shared experience in doing business with China via Hong Kong business partners.
"There are still plenty of opportunities for those who are prepared to seize them. Now is a good time to make a move in order to be well placed as soon as business in our part of the world takes off again," said Miss Chow.
The March 12 seminar was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels and co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. This was the first business seminar organised in Sofia by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
Ends/Thursday, March 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:53
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