*********************************************************
The next chapter of the "On Your Marks, Get-Set, Go!" campaign, which aims to attract more privately-owned-enterprises (POEs) from Sichuan to set up or expand in Hong Kong, was launched today (September 22) by Invest Hong Kong of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.
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 covers seven Mainland provinces and the Sichuan programme is the fifth of the series. More than 1,800 representatives from over 1,300 local enterprises participated in the events organised in the first four stops.
A seminar entitled "Hong Kong - Your Platform to Go Global" was held in Chengdu, Sichuan province today. Officiating at the opening ceremony of the event were the Deputy Secretary-General of Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Mr Li Jia Guo, and the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, Mr Gregory So. The seminar attracted over 150 representatives of POEs in Sichuan.
Addressing at the ceremony, Mr So said, "As Hong Kong and the Mainland increase interactions on the economic and trade fronts, professionals in Hong Kong have accumulated a wealth of experience in doing business on the Mainland. Together with their versatility in international business operations, they provide a strong talent pool to help Mainland enterprises to go global."
"With a business operation mode closely modelled on international practices, Hong Kong is a good platform from which Mainland enterprises interested in expanding their business overseas can get a better understanding of the operation of multinational companies and the international market. Under the Central Government's 'going out' policy, the HKSAR is certainly an ideal springboard for these enterprises to establish their international presence," he added.
Mr So also pointed out that Hong Kong was an important capital-raising platform for Mainland enterprises. "As at the end of July this year, 478 Mainland enterprises were listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange with a market capitalisation of about HK$9,300 billion, accounting for some 58% of the total market capitalisation."
Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, highlighted that Mainland China has become an increasingly important market for Invest Hong Kong. He said, "Since the establishment of Invest Hong Kong in July 2000, we have successfully assisted over 250 Mainland enterprises to set up or expand in Hong Kong. We are glad that there has been an encouraging rise in the number of Mainland enterprises establishing their business presence in Hong Kong."
"Given the current economic climate, Asia - particularly the Mainland China market - is an attractive source of business potential given the relatively strong growth rates as compared to traditional developed markets like North America and Europe," Mr Galpin added.
To provide the audience with a better understanding of the business environment and strategic advantages of Hong Kong, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Miss Victoria Tang, and the Senior Economist of the HKSAR Government, Ms Ruby Zhu, spoke on how Hong Kong could assist the Mainland companies to go global.
In addition, Hong Kong experts from sectors like accounting, financial services, private equity and venture capital were invited to speak at the panel discussions entitled "Hong Kong Advantages in Financing" and "The Most Business-friendly City, Platform to Go Global". The speakers included Senior Manager, Listing Promotion of Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing Limited, Mr Tang Wai-kwok; General Manager, Chengdu Branch of The Bank of East Asia, Ms Elaine Yu; Chairman of PRC Committee of Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, Mr Conrad Tsang; Audit Partner of KPMG, Mr Zou Xiao-lei; and Vice President, Marketing and Admission of Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Mr Ken Hui.
General Manager of China Aerospace Telecommunications Limited, Mr Wong Sek-choi, also attended the seminar and a press conference today, sharing his experience in successfully expanding the business into Hong Kong.
Chengdu has developed into an important research and development (R&D) centre for the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry in the southeastern part of the Mainland. A seminar entitled "Exploring International Opportunities for Traditional Chinese Medicine" was also held in the afternoon today, aimed at providing Sichuan enterprises with an overview of the business environment, the regulatory framework and the research facilities of TCM in Hong Kong. The seminar also highlighted opportunities for co-operation and business collaboration between Sichuan and Hong Kong. Speakers at the seminar included Head of Technology at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Tsang; Pharmacist at the Department of Health of the HKSAR Government, Ms Susanna Choi; Manager, Life Science/Biotech at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Eddie Ching; Manager, Business Development at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine, Dr Kevin Chu; and Founding President of the Modernised Chinese Medicine International Association, Dr Albert Wong.
Concluding today's events, Mr Galpin said, "Invest Hong Kong provides free one-stop services for Mainland companies that have plans to set up in our city. Our team based in Hong Kong and the investment promotion unit in Chengdu are ready to assist and to welcome more Sichuan enterprises to Hong Kong to build their international businesses."
About the Invest Hong Kong "On Your Marks, Get-Set, Go!" campaign
The campaign covers seven Mainland provinces, namely Zhejiang, Shandong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Guangdong and Liaoning. It also includes three distinct phases:
'On Your Marks' covers promotional activities aimed at raising awareness of business opportunities in Hong Kong among Mainland China's growing class of POEs. This stage includes a carefully targeted nationwide advertising and editorial campaign, followed by large-scale seminars highlighting opportunities in Hong Kong. Invest Hong Kong Service Centres 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 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 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.
About Invest Hong Kong
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/Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:15
NNNN
