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Japan's business sector would find numerous collaboration and investment opportunities in Hong Kong, which can serve as a platform for them to access the huge Mainland market.
The Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mrs Jennie Chok, made the above remarks at a business seminar in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, today (May 25).
Outlining the advantages of doing business in Hong Kong to about 80 participants at the seminar, Mrs Chok said these advantages were not limited to those offered by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and a prime location at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta, which made Hong Kong best placed to benefit from the opportunities in the Mainland market.
"Equally, if not more, important are the strong characteristics and fundamentals of the Hong Kong economy.
"These include a low and simple tax system, free trade, a level playing field for businesses, efficient communications, the free flow of information and capital, a convertible currency, stable and clean government, the rule of law upheld by an independent judiciary, great infrastructure, and an educated and highly motivated workforce," she said.
Citing the success of the Kumamoto prefecture in its export promotion activities and the expansion of business by a number of the prefecture's enterprises in Hong Kong, Mrs Chok said this demonstrated that there was a good potential for bilateral trade and investment to grow further for the mutual benefit of the two economies.
"Beyond the food and agricultural products sectors, Kumamoto enterprises in a wide spectrum of industries, ranging from automobiles and semi-conductor production to biotechnology, solar industry, information service and health service promotion activities, may also find it worthwhile to look into related developments in Hong Kong and identify collaboration and investment opportunities," she added.
The seminar, organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo to promote closer economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Japan, was attended by government officials and business leaders including the Vice Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, Mr Yoshiyasu Hyoutanni, and Mayor of Kumamoto City, Mr Seishi Kohyama.
Ends/Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:15
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