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Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association (HKCEA) co-hosted a Spring Reception today (March 18) for business leaders of Hong Kong-based Chinese enterprises, as both seek to support Hong Kong's economy.
The event was officiated by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, and the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wang Zhimin.
Mrs Lau and Mr Wang were joined by Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin, and Chairman of HKCEA, Mr Zhang Xue-wu, when launching the "Mainland Companies Aftercare Programme", which is co-organised by InvestHK and HKCEA.
"We would like to thank the Mainland companies for their contribution to the Hong Kong economy. We will increase our efforts in attracting Mainland companies to Hong Kong and will provide them with more support," Mr Galpin said.
"Invest Hong Kong is looking forward to helping more and more Mainland companies in 'going-out' in the coming years. We are committed to provide a on-going aftercare support to help them expand and upgrade their presence in Hong Kong," Mr Galpin added.
In his speech, Mr Zhang stressed that Mainland companies are determined to support Hong Kong's economic development.
"We hope that more Mainland companies will be able to capitalise on Hong Kong as a platform to expand globally. I believe that the growing Mainland community in Hong Kong will play an active role in promoting business links between Hong Kong and Mainland, and hence fostering the economic development of the city," said Mr Zhang.
HKCEA has already sent out letters to call on its corporate members to carry their social responsibilities and act against the lay-off trend in the society. The call has been well received by the Mainland business sector.
InvestHK's "Aftercare Programme" involves reaching out to existing Mainland investors in Hong Kong to convey the message that InvestHK is the HKSAR government department which supports businesses to set-up and expand in Hong Kong.
Specific aftercare services include individual calls on Mainland companies to understand their views and the challenges they face in Hong Kong. InvestHK will also provide regular market updates on various sectors and organise sector-specific networking events to Mainland investors.
Last year, InvestHK organised 25 investment promotion seminars in 14 cities in the Mainland, and conducted nearly 1,100 investment promotion meetings with Mainland companies.
InvestHK is the award-winning department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting and facilitating inward investment into the city, by providing free services and support to help overseas, Mainland and Taiwanese companies establish or expand their business presence in Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.InvestHK.gov.hk .
HKCEA is an independent chamber of commerce with over a thousand corporate memberships and 16 sector-specific committees. It aims to foster the economic exchange and cooperation between Hong Kong and Mainland, and encourages Mainland companies to build up business presence in Hong Kong and overseas markets. For more information, please visit www.hkcea.com .
For media enquiries, please contact Ms Margaret Ho, Assistant Manager (Public Relations) at 3107 1062, or email to mho@InvestHK.gov.hk .
Ends/Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:46
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