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Invest Hong Kong today (May 20) hosted a seminar in Qingdao, encouraging local enterprises to leverage on Hong Kong's advantages in brand building, marketing and capital-raising in order to facilitate their expansion into overseas markets.
Titled "Hong Kong-Your Platform to Go Global", the seminar showcased Hong Kong's strengths in assisting Mainland enterprises to develop their international business. Co-organisers of the seminar included the Bureau of Commerce, Qingdao, and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Qingdao Sub-Council. Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin; Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Qingdao Sub-Council, Mr Feng Wenqing; and Vice Director General, Bureau of Commerce, Qingdao, Mr Wu Heng; delivered welcome speeches at the seminar.
In his remarks, Mr Galpin said, "Hong Kong and Qingdao are coastal port cities in prime geographical locations. In addition, Hong Kong, the world's freest economy for 17 consecutive years, has a low and simple tax regime and allows the free flow of goods, information, capital and talent. It imposes no import or export tariffs on the majority of goods and is free of exchange controls. It is, therefore, the ideal launch pad for companies from Qingdao and other parts of the Mainland to explore overseas markets."
Commenting on Mainland enterprises' expectations of capital raising for their future development, Mr Galpin said, "Hong Kong is a leading global capital market, ranking first in the world for record IPO funds raised in each of the past two years. It is also the largest market for Mainland enterprises to raise funds. Almost half of the 10 largest IPOs in Hong Kong in 2010 were from Mainland enterprises."
He added, "Qingdao is the origin of several famous brands. Indeed, some of its consumer products are well known to the world. As the international trade and retail centre for consumer goods, Hong Kong offers companies a developed logistics network and capable talent. The city is also home to major exhibitions that host a wealth of sophisticated international visitors, providing the best platform for Mainland producers and suppliers to develop their business by showcasing their products and testing international waters."
Located in Beijing, Invest Hong Kong's North China Investment Promotion Unit has made several promotional visits to Qingdao and Shandong Province in recent years and has assisted several successful enterprises to set up in Hong Kong. The unit will continue with its free and customised one-to-one advisory services and support to local enterprises, assisting them to develop their overseas markets by leveraging off Hong Kong's many advantages.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas and Mainland 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 2 100 investment projects creating over 26 000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$57 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157626746996076 .
Ends/Friday, May 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:51
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