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Invest Hong Kong today (September 8) promoted the advantages of Hong Kong and its strategic location as a platform for Mainland enterprises to implement their "Go Global" strategy at a press conference and seminar at the 14th China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, Fujian province.
Entitled "Hong Kong – Your Platform to Go Global: Capitalise on Hong Kong's Financial Services for International Expansion", the seminar began with welcoming remarks from the Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism), Miss Yvonne Choi Ying-pik; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, Miss Liu Yingjun; the Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Miss Victoria Tang; and the Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of Commerce Office, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wang Hui. The seminar attracted over 130 representatives from Mainland enterprises.
In her welcome remarks, Miss Choi said, "Hong Kong has always been one of the most important trading partners of Mainland China and we have witnessed increasing trade activities between the two over the years. Hong Kong is an international financial centre and has good marketing expertise, talent from all over the world, sophisticated information networks and the rule of law. Together these render Hong Kong an ideal platform from which Mainland enterprises can expand their business internationally. I would like to encourage Mainland enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's international experience not just in capital raising but also in financing for small and medium businesses as well as risk management."
Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Galpin said, "Mainland enterprises can use Hong Kong as a test market to go international. We have an open economy and overseas companies have played a major part in its development. Mainland enterprises can benefit from the way international businesses operate within our city. Hong Kong has world class infrastructure and a good supply of talent with knowledge of both international business practice and Mainland culture.
Hong Kong's enduring advantages come from its business friendly environment, low and simple tax, and implementation of free market principles. As indicated by the value and ranking of inward investment, Hong Kong has long been attractive to foreign direct investment (FDI). According to the "World Investment Report 2010 (WIR) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)" released in July this year, Hong Kong for the first time ranked fourth in the world after the US, Mainland China and France as an FDI recipient in 2009. For the 12th consecutive year, Hong Kong continued to be the second largest FDI recipient in Asia, after Mainland China. And in the first quarter of 2010, FDI inflows to Hong Kong amounted to US$20 billion, representing a significant increase of 72 percent versus the same period last year.
Mr Galpin added, "Up to July 31,2010, the number of mainland enterprises listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was 547, with market capitalisation at HKD1,060billion, accounting for 58 percent of all listed companies' market value."
In today's seminar, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Miss Victoria Tang, presented the business friendly environment and strategic advantages of Hong Kong. Other speakers included Deputy General Manager, Corporate Banking and Financial Institutions of Bank of China (Hong Kong), Mr Stephen Chan; Executive Committee Member and Chairman of PRC Committee of Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, Mr Conrad Tsang; and Shanghai Special Representative of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd, Ms Maggie Cao, who discussed financing and risk management for SMEs, strategies to draw Interests from private equity funds and advantages for listing in Hong Kong, respectively.
Vice President of ANTA Sports Products Ltd, Dr Zhang Tao, was also a guest speaker at the seminar, sharing his viewpoints on using Hong Kong as a platform to "Go Global".
Invest Hong Kong has participated in CIFIT for 10 consecutive years. Besides leveraging on this prestigious event to encourage Mainland enterprises to "Go Global", Invest Hong Kong's teams based in Hong Kong and the Mainland (in Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu) are ready to assist Mainland enterprises to set up their businesses in Hong Kong and to expand overseas.
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 of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157624906095072
Ends/Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:56
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