********************************************************
The next chapter of the "On Your Marks, Get-Set, Go!" campaign, which aims to attract more privately owned enterprises (POEs) from Jiangsu to set up or expand in Hong Kong, was launched today (March 25) by Invest Hong Kong.
The three-year nationwide marketing campaign was initiated in 2007 in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. The campaign includes workshops and business-focused visits to Hong Kong for Mainland enterprises.
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Nanjing event were the Vice-Governor of Jiangsu province, Mr Zhang Weiguo and Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, HKSAR Government, Mr Greg So.
"In times of global economic uncertainty, Hong Kong's enduring advantages - our legal system, financial infrastructure, low tax rate, and professional service support - are more important than ever. These advantages are attracting more and more Mainland enterprises to set up in Hong Kong," Mr So said.
"The Central Government's 'going out' policy further encourages Mainland enterprises to expand their reach. Hong Kong's strategic location and international exposure make it an ideal two-way service platform for Mainland companies to go global and for foreign companies to access opportunities on the Mainland," he said.
"Hong Kong is an important capital-raising platform for Jiangsu enterprises. By the end of January this year, 24 enterprises from Jiangsu had raised $22 billion through listing in Hong Kong."
"Mainland China has become an increasingly important market for Invest Hong Kong. Since our establishment in 2000, we have successfully assisted more than 200 Mainland enterprises to set up and expand in Hong Kong," Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong Mr Simon Galpin said.
"Invest Hong Kong provides free one-stop services for companies that have plans to set up in our city. Our teams based in Hong Kong and Shanghai are ready to assist and to welcome more Jiangsu enterprises to Hong Kong," Mr Galpin said.
More than 200 POEs attended today's opening seminar, which highlighted the strategic advantages of Hong Kong as a springboard for Mainland enterprises in "going out" and expanding globally.
Two Jiangsu companies, Huatai Securities Co. Ltd. and Jiangsu Skyrun International Group, were happy to share their experience in expanding to Hong Kong. Discussion sessions were also held on "Hong Kong Advantages - as a platform for Mainland Companies to Go International" and "Hong Kong Advantages - as a platform for Financing", which featured HKSAR Government officials and Hong Kong experts from sectors such as accounting, financial services, private equity and venture capital.
The "On Your Marks, Get-Set, Go!" promotional campaign is being carried out in seven key mainland provinces, Zhejiang, Shandong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Liaoning and Guangdong. The campaign in Jiangsu province is the fourth of the series.
To assist Jiangsu enterprises in "going out", Invest Hong Kong will publish a tailor-made booklet called the "Step-by-Step Guide in assisting Jiangsu Enterprises to invest in Hong Kong", which provides Jiangsu enterprises with information, procedures, arrangements and contact details for investing in Hong Kong.
The campaign includes three distinct phases:
"On Your Marks" covers promotional activities aimed at raising awareness among the Mainland China's growing class of POEs of business opportunities in Hong Kong. This stage will include a carefully targeted nationwide advertising and editorial campaign, followed by large-scale seminars highlighting opportunities in Hong Kong. Invest Hong Kong Service Centres will also distribute information on business opportunities to its networks of industry and government partners.
"Get-Set" is a series of smaller, focused workshops in key locations, designed to equip local companies with the information and tools to develop an overseas business strategy, using Hong Kong as a stepping stone. The seminars will focus on practical issues with speakers from the government and private sector offering guidance and tips on successfully growing a business on the international stage.
"Go!" is the final stage of the three-year campaign with a series of business-focused visits to Hong Kong. These tailored programmes will allow companies that are seriously considering setting up in Hong Kong to better understand the market, to meet relevant industry associations and to identify business partners, clients and premises.
Invest Hong Kong 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 .
Ends/Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:01
NNNN
