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Invest Hong Kong of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Fujian Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (DOFTEC) jointly organised a seminar in Zurich, Switzerland today (April 12, Zurich time) to encourage Swiss investors to make the best use of the favourable investment climate and prospects for business opportunities in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. More than 130 senior business executives attended the seminar.
Entitled "Hong Kong and Fujian: Your Ideal Partnership in China", the seminar is the seventh overseas investment promotion event jointly organised by Hong Kong and Fujian province since 2005. On behalf of the Governments of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the HKSAR, the Consul-General of the PRC in Zurich, Mr Liang Jianquan, and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Stephen Wong, extended their warm welcome to the audience in their welcoming remarks.
In his keynote speech, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin, highlighted the synergy of economic co-operation in the Pan-PRD region. He said, "The Hong Kong-Pan PRD co-operation has contributed greatly to the prosperity of Mainland China and the region as a whole. Many foreign investors have found it attractive to perform their service activities in Hong Kong while placing their manufacturing facilities in the Mainland."
"As the main window to access the Pan-PRD region, Hong Kong and Fujian together present a winning solution for Swiss companies, both large and small, to grasp the immense business opportunities in Mainland China. Hong Kong is a natural entry point for Swiss companies to explore the Mainland market, and a logical place from which to manage operations across the border," Mr Galpin added.
Commenting on the advantages of Hong Kong for Swiss companies to expand their businesses into the Mainland and the Asia Pacific market, Mr Galpin explained that Hong Kong's banking system, legal set-up, infrastructure and logistics are of a high international standard. These advantages produce complementary strengths for Hong Kong and the rest of the Pan-PRD region in terms of their professional knowledge, management skills and international experience.
The Swiss business community has long played an important role in Hong Kong's economic development. In 2009, two-way trade between Switzerland and Hong Kong totalled HK$55.9 billion. Switzerland was Hong Kong's 12th largest foreign investor in 2008, contributing HK$42.2 billion.
Deputy Director-General of Fujian DOFTEC, Mr Zhang Qiu, told the audience about the strengths of Fujian province. He said, "Fujian is right at the juncture of Mainland China's economically most developed areas with the Yangtze River Delta to its north and the PRD to its south. It has developed three pillar industries, namely the electronics and information industry, the machine building industry and the petrol-chemical industry. By the end of 2009, 43,703 foreign invested companies were approved to set up in Fujian, and the actual utilised amount of foreign capital reached USD94.1 billion."
As of December 2009, there were 11 Swiss companies in the Fujian province, with a contractual investment amount of USD26.65 million. These companies are engaged in business sectors including food processing, trade and others.
During the seminar, Senior Key Account Manager of Schindler Elevators Ltd in Ebikon, Mr Andreas B Ryser, shared his successful experience in operating the business in Hong Kong and the Pan-PRD. In addition, the Overseas Representative of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP), Mr Hans R Kunz, explained how HKSTP facilitates Swiss SMEs to access Mainland China; while the Managing Partner of N?geli Attorneys-at Law and Vice-President of the Swiss-Hong Kong Business Association, Ms Esther N?geli, provided the audience with practical tips for doing business in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
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 .
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157623712317523 .
Ends/Monday, April 12, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:00
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