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Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation of Guangdong Province and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute today (December 6) co-organised a business conference in Seoul, South Korea, to promote the combined business advantages of the Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD).
The seminar, entitled "Your Business Partners in China", marked the first tripartite joint promotion with Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao in South Korea. It began with welcome remarks by Director-General of International Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Republic of Korea, Mr Choi Kwang-hae, and opening remarks by Minister-Counselor of Economic and Commercial Office of Chinese embassy in South Korea, Mr Zhou Changting. The following keynote addresses were delivered by Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Miss Victoria Tang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation of Guangdong Province, Mr Chen Yuehua, and the President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Jackson Chang.
The event offered participants details of the latest investment and business opportunities in these three strategic jurisdictions located in the GPRD, plus case studies and practical tips from executives of leading Korean companies that have successfully expanded their business into Hong Kong and Guangdong.
In her speech to about 300 senior business executives in Seoul, Miss Tang highlighted the unique advantages that Hong Kong has in the GPRD. She said, "The GPRD and Hong Kong have long enjoyed close economic and trade links, as reflected by the frequent flow of people, goods and capital between both places. Hong Kong is the gateway to the Mainland, and together with its enduring advantages, the free flows of information and capital, stable tax regime, rule of law and deep pool of talent with international and Mainland perspectives, Hong Kong is the ideal place for Korean companies to set up or expand."
Miss Tang also noted that Hong Kong is home to some 7,250 overseas and Mainland companies. "Of these, roughly 3,880 have set up their global or regional operations in our city. This reflects their confidence in the enduring advantages of Hong Kong."
Hong Kong is Korea's third largest investment destination, following China and the US, and there are at least 11 Korean banks operating in Hong Kong. Miss Tang added that Hong Kong's role as the international financial centre and the offshore Renminbi hub added further appeal to Korean investors to expand their banking services for international and Mainland customers in Hong Kong.
Mr Chen said, "We have been stepping up the implementations of transforming and upgrading the province. It will definitely provide huge business opportunities for Korean investors and traders."
In his speech today, Mr Chang, also encouraged Korean companies to visit Macao and make use of it as a regional service platform.
Other speakers in the seminar included Head of Overseas Business of Ilhwa Co., Ltd., Mr Rheem Han, Manager of Management Department of Huizhou Joint Technology Electronics Co., Ltd, Mr Kim Gyeyoung, Vice President of Uni-World Services Company Limited, Mr Joshua Cho and Deputy Director General of Industrial Development Bureau of Administration Committee of Hengqin New Area, Zhuhai, Ms Ye Wenqing.
About Invest Hong Kong
InvestHK 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 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/72157632178465367/.
Ends/Thursday, December 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:31
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