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The Hong Kong-Guangdong Business Conference in Warsaw 2011 received an overwhelming response today (October 27, Warsaw time) with over 1 000 senior business executives as well as representatives from the governments of Poland, Hong Kong and Guangdong participating in the event. The conference, jointly organised by Invest Hong Kong and the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, highlighted the combined business advantages that Hong Kong and Guangdong have to offer for Polish companies.
It was the first time a conference of this scale had been hosted in Poland by the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Guangdong Province. The President of the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency, Mr Slawomir Majman, opened the conference, followed by remarks given by the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Poland, Ms Zhao Xiuzhen, and the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Mr Waldemar Pawlak. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Stephen Lam, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, delivered keynote speeches at the conference.
Focusing on the synergy of Hong Kong and Guangdong economic co-operation in the Greater Pearl River Delta Region (GPRD), Mr Lam encouraged Polish corporations to establish a base in Hong Kong and make good use of the strong co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong.
"Last year, we signed a Framework Agreement on Hong Kong-Guangdong Co-operation. This is an all-encompassing agreement on co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong, and reflects a shared commitment to further break down barriers to trade and investment and open up the flow of ideas and innovation throughout the Delta region," he said.
"The Agreement reaffirms Hong Kong's status as a global centre for finance, trade and logistics. By combining our city's strengths with those of our neighbour, we aim to establish the region as a world class metropolis and one of the most competitive regions in the world by 2020."
Bilateral trade between Hong Kong and Poland rose by an annual average of nearly 15 per cent between 2006 and 2010. In 2010, total trade between the two economies topped US$850 million.
Mr Lam said, "Apart from being right on Mainland China's doorstep, Hong Kong is a stable and dynamic global financial centre. We also share many of the characteristics that are cherished by entrepreneurs the world over: the rule of law; the free flows of capital, ideas and information; and a low and simple tax regime with profits tax of 16.5 per cent and salaries tax capped at 15 per cent. There is no VAT, no GST, no estate duties, no capital gains tax and even zero duty on wine. We also work hard to maintain a highly transparent and effective regulatory environment to underpin Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre."
Mr Lam also shared with the participants Hong Kong's efforts in developing its offshore Renminbi businesses, financial services, and new growth industries. He encouraged Polish companies to seize the business opportunities in Hong Kong.
During the conference, representatives from two enterprises, the Chief Sales Officer of TCL Multimedia Technology Holding Ltd, Mr Hao Yi, and Partner and Head of the Warsaw Chinese Investment Group at Salans, an international law firm in Poland, Mr Piotr Dulewicz, also spoke about their successful experience of operating their businesses in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the HKSAR 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 11th year of operation, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2 300 investment projects, creating more than 28 000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$60 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157627788803707/.
Ends/Thursday, October 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:23
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