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Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) staged a major conference today (August 22) to promote the city's role as a platform from which Mainland companies can "go global". The event was part of the Department's sustained drive to promote Hong Kong to a growing number of Mainland companies keen to set up and expand overseas.
The "Going Global Seminar - Sharing the Business Advantages of Hong Kong" event was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and attracted more than 250 participants to attend. It was organised in collaboration with the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and supported by the Ministry of Commerce. This is the first time that InvestHK co-organised the event with the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce; Hong Kong China Chamber of Commerce; Australian Trade Commission; New Zealand Trade & Enterprise; Canadian Trade Commissioner Service; UK Trade & Investment and the US Commercial Service. Officiating guests included the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, and Assistant Minister of Commerce, Mr Li Rongcan.
In his opening speech, Mr Tsang emphasised the strengths of Hong Kong in terms of its status as the region's international trade, corporate services and financial centre. He said that Mainland companies should leverage these advantages to enhance their own competitiveness to go global. These advantages include a friendly business environment, open market, free flow of information and capital, well-connected business networks, and a mature and stable financial market. Mr Tsang said, "The strengths of Hong Kong in international corporate services, corporate governance, marketing, project matching and human resources training, would offer strong support to Mainland companies setting up in Hong Kong."
The latest measures announced by the Central Government in supporting Hong Kong as the offshore Renminbi (RMB) centre, including the issuance of RMB sovereign bonds in Hong Kong will also reinforce the city's role as the Mainland's offshore RMB centre, Mr Tsang added.
During the seminar, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin, highlighted the unique advantages that make Hong Kong the ideal platform for Mainland companies to "go global".
Mr Galpin said, "Hong Kong has a low and simple tax system, free movement of capital, talent, goods and information, and a level playing field. All these and our geographical proximity to China make our city the ideal platform for Mainland companies to access the international business world. InvestHK will strive to help Mainland companies succeed in Hong Kong."
Other speakers included Executive Director and Chief Executive, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd, Mr Benjamin Hung; Co-leader, Deloitte Asia Pacific International Core of Excellence, Ms Lili Zheng; Special Representative, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd Southern China, Mr Franky Chung; Assistant President and GM of Asia Pacific, Kingdee International Software Group, Ms Karen Ji; Australian Consul-General, Mr Paul Tighe and Senior Trade Commissioner, Mr Phil Ingram; Canadian Consul General, Mr J Ian Burchett and Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner, Ms T Kendal Hembroff; New Zealand Investment Director - Greater China, Mr Ivan Kinsella; Deputy Head of Mission and Director, UK Trade and Investment, Mr Paul Lynch; and US Chief Commercial Consul, Mr Scott Shaw and Commercial Consul, Mr Eric Crowley. They talked about their respective experiences as to setting up a business in Hong Kong, the city's latest financial and fund raising market developments, plus how other countries see Hong Kong as the China business platform.
About Invest Hong Kong
InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) 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 at June 2012, InvestHK has completed over 2,600 investment projects creating more than 30,000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$67 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157631172732864/.
Ends/Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:43
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