*********************************************************
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (October 16) hosted the "Hong Kong - Your Platform to Going Global" seminar and luncheon in Chengdu, encouraging local food and beverage (F&B) companies to expand overseas via Hong Kong by leveraging Hong Kong's business advantages to achieve the national imperative of "going global".
The event explained Hong Kong's advantages in the services sector, in particular in the F&B industry, and how Mainland companies can use Hong Kong as a platform to expand their business to international markets. The event was jointly organised by InvestHK, the Chengdu City of Gastronomy Association and the Sichuan Provincial Hospitality Industrial Association. InvestHK's Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin, and the Deputy Director-General of the Commerce Bureau of Chengdu Municipality, Mr Wen Feng, delivered welcome speeches.
Elaborating on Hong Kong's enduring business advantages, Mr Galpin said, "Sichuan Province is dubbed the 'Land of Abundance' with its long-standing and key role in agricultural development. Chengdu and Hong Kong have developed closer and closer economic and trade ties in recent years. Hong Kong ranks highly for its business-friendly environment, absence of foreign exchange controls, free trade and free market economy, diversified talent pool, world-class infrastructure, and sound and independent legal system, as well as its low tax regime. Against this backdrop, it serves as an ideal testing ground for Mainland companies to expand their overseas markets and 'go global'."
Mr Galpin continued, "Hong Kong as the gateway between the Mainland and international markets offers diversified and professional service providers and international marketing experience for Sichuan companies to expand their global business."
The Head of Tourism & Hospitality at InvestHK, Mr Jimmy Chiang, also gave a presentation during the luncheon, highlighting Hong Kong's business advantages and opportunities, in particular for those in the F&B sector, and the various types of free services and assistance that InvestHK can offer to Sichuan F&B companies which intend to set up in Hong Kong and "go global".
Following the Chengdu F&B event, the InvestHK delegation will head to Chongqing tomorrow (October 17) to present Hong Kong's business advantages to the F&B industry in Chongqing. The Chongqing event is being co-organised by InvestHK and the Chongqing City Food Chamber of Commerce. Mr Galpin and the Deputy Secretary-General of the Chongqing Municipal Government, Mr Ai Yang, will give welcome remarks.
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 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, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2,600 investment projects creating over 30,000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$67 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157631749328191/.
Ends/Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:59
NNNN
