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The joint investment promotion seminar, "Hong Kong and Guangzhou: Your Business Partners in China", held in Tel Aviv, Israel today (June 17, Tel Aviv time), received a welcoming response with attendance of around 260 Israeli business executives. The seminar was co-organised by Invest Hong Kong and the Guangzhou Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation (BOFTEC), with a focus on investment opportunities in the innovation and technology sectors.
The seminar began with welcome remarks by the Director of Department for Economic Affairs III, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Israeli Government, Mr Gil Haskel; and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in the State of Israel, Mr Zhao Jun.
Speaking at the seminar, the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, encouraged Israeli companies to join other multinational companies already established in Hong Kong and Guangzhou to grasp the opportunities ahead. He said, "As of June 2009, 3,580 multinational companies have set up regional operations in Hong Kong and over 80 Israeli companies are operating in our city. With CEPA (Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement), Hong Kong offers the most direct and cost-effective path for Israeli companies to enter the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and other parts of the Mainland market."
Mr Galpin said, "Hong Kong's banking system, legal set-up, human resources and infrastructure are premier league by any standard. The Hong Kong-PRD combination has resulted in the PRD developing into one of the world's leading manufacturing centres while Hong Kong has become a principal centre for management, information, coordination, finance and professional services."
The Director-General of Guangzhou BOFTEC, Mr Xiao Zhenyu, said, "We are convinced that Israeli companies will find a home for their business in Guangzhou by bringing their advanced technology to the five strategic industries which offer a promising and broad spectrum for Israel-Guangzhou cooperation. The five industries identified are flat panel display, semiconductor, auto-borne electronic products, internet communication and integrated circuits. Israel's talent pool and advanced technology in the biotechnology, water technologies and diamond processing and trading businesses will bring about bilateral cooperation and booming business opportunities in Guangzhou."
During the seminar, representatives from Israeli companies shared experiences of how they had successfully expanded their businesses in Hong Kong and the Mainland by meeting enterprises' needs in contact centre solutions, security solutions, risk management solutions, green energy and venture capital. Speakers included the Director of APAC Integrated Marketing of NICE Systems, Mr Eyal Kirshner; the International Marketing Manager of SDE, Ms Inna Braverman; and the Partner of China Israel Value Capital (CIVC), Ms Ornit Avidar.
In addition, the Director General of The Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, Mr Avi Hefetz, and Solicitor of Boughton Peterson Yang Anderson, Mr Ohad Levitt, provided the audience with insights and practical tips on how to tackle and succeed in Mainland China.
The seminar concluded with one-on-one meetings between representatives from Invest Hong Kong and Guangzhou BOFTEC and individual seminar participants to discuss opportunities to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas, Mainland and Taiwanese businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2,000 investment projects creating over 25,000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$52 billion worth of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157624227615736.
Ends/Thursday, June 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:42
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