******************************************************
The next chapter of Invest Hong Kong's "On Your Marks, Get-set, Go!" campaign, aimed at attracting more privately-owned-enterprises (POEs) to set up business in Hong Kong, was launched in Guangzhou, Guangdong province today (March 23).
A seminar was jointly hosted by Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government department responsible for foreign direct investment (FDI); the Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce of the PRC; and the Trade Office of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. Entitled "Hong Kong - Your Platform to Go Global", the seminar highlighted Hong Kong's position as a springboard for Guangdong enterprises that are planning to expand regionally and globally. More than 250 representatives of POEs attended the seminar in Guangzhou.
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the event were the Vice-Governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Wan Qingliang and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, Mrs Rita Lau.
In her keynote speech, Mrs Lau said, "Guangdong is one of the most rapidly developing regions in the Mainland. It is also at the forefront of our country's economic reform and development in the globalisation process. Hong Kong and Guangdong enjoy close cultural ties and a long history of cooperation. The close integration, whether in terms of the flow of people, goods and capital, has created synergy for the joint development of both places."
"Hong Kong is Asia's transportation hub, and an international centre for financial services, trading and logistics. Its stable financial system and rich experience in marketing provide a solid foundation for Guangdong enterprises in areas such as capital-raising, brand-building, enhancement of corporate governance and the internationalisation of their businesses," Mrs Lau explained.
As an international financial centre, Hong Kong is an important capital-raising platform for Mainland enterprises. By the end of 2009, about 80 Guangdong enterprises had raised HK$190 billion through listing in Hong Kong, with combined market capitalisation of about HK$851 billion.
In January 2009, the National Development and Reform Commission announced the 'Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (PRD)', which incorporated the cooperation between Hong Kong and the PRD region into the development strategies of the country, thus injecting momentum for greater collaboration between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
Mrs Lau added, "Further integration between Guangdong and Hong Kong will enhance the competitiveness of the PRD region. Hong Kong is expected to play a more pivotal role as an ideal two-way platform for Mainland companies to go global and for foreign companies to access opportunities on the Mainland."
Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, said, "Mainland China is an important market for Invest Hong Kong. Since our establishment in July 2000, over 280 of our completed projects have been from the Mainland. Some of the enterprises were setting up in Hong Kong for the first time, while others expanded their existing businesses in our city."
"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 better understand the operation of multinational companies and the international market. To attract more Mainland enterprises to set up in Hong Kong, we initiated the 'On Your Marks, Get-set, Go!' nationwide marketing campaign in 2007. The campaign covers seven Mainland provinces and the Guangdong programme is the sixth of the series. More than 2,100 representatives from over 1,500 local enterprises participated in the events organised in the first five stops," added Mr Galpin.
To better facilitate Guangdong enterprises in "going out", Invest Hong Kong has published a tailor-made booklet called the "Step-by-Step Guide in assisting Guangdong enterprises to invest in Hong Kong", which provides them with information, procedures, arrangements and contact details for departments of the HKSAR Government.
Today's seminar focused on promoting 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 explained the roles of Invest Hong Kong in assisting Mainland companies seeking to go global through Hong Kong, as well as the economic development of Hong Kong and the opportunities it offers.
In addition, Hong Kong experts from sectors including marketing, financial services and corporate listing were invited to speak at panel discussions. The speakers included Partner, Tax and China Business Advisory Services of PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd, Ms Cathy Jiang; Creative Director of Tommy Li Design Workshop Limited, Mr Tommy Li; Deputy General Manager, Corporate Banking and Financial Institutions of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Stephen Chan; and Chief Marketing Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Mr Lawrence Fok.
The Midea Group's Director of Office, Mr Lu Shuping, also attended the seminar and shared his experience in successfully expanding the company's business into Hong Kong.
Mr Galpin concluded, "Today's seminar was just the beginning of the Invest Hong Kong 'On Your Marks, Get-set, Go!' campaign in Guangdong. In the coming months, we will organise a series of roadshows in other cities in Guangdong province to promote the investment environment of Hong Kong and its advantages to Guangdong enterprises. Our investment promotion unit based in Guangdong will enhance our support for companies and continue to provide free one-stop service for Guangdong corporations that have plans to set up in our city."
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 number of POEs.
-'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.
-'Go!' is the final stage of the three-year campaign with a series of business-focused visits to Hong Kong.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government responsible for Foreign Direct Investment, supporting overseas, Mainland and Taiwanese businesses to set up and expand in Hong Kong. We provide free advice and customised services to help your business succeed in our vibrant economy. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:00
NNNN
