Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
InvestHK reports mid-year growth amid challenging global conditions (with photos/video)
*********************************************************

     Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 4) announced that for the first half of 2013 the department has assisted a record 213 overseas and Mainland Chinese companies to set up or expand in Hong Kong.

     The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin, said he was encouraged by the interim results, noting that they showed continued strength in inward investment into Hong Kong despite challenging global conditions.

     "Although global uncertainties remain, we are optimistic that we will be able to meet our annual target of 330 projects this year as several markets are showing good growth," Mr Galpin said.

2013 interim results: highlights

     The 213 completed projects came from 33 countries. Mainland China was the largest single source of investment into Hong Kong with a total of 51 completed projects, followed by Japan (26), the US and the UK (24 projects each) and France (13). For the first time, InvestHK helped a Greek company to set up a business in Hong Kong. In terms of jobs created, the 213 companies planned to employ 1 576 people in Hong Kong for their first year of setting up or expansion.

     By region, Asia was the biggest market source with 89 projects completed compared to 73 a year ago, followed by Europe and North America. By sub-sector, Hong Kong's opportunities in the first half of 2013 proved most attractive to companies in asset management, digital marketing, medical and health care, and restaurant and wine-related businesses.

Looking forward

     Mr Galpin sounded a note of cautious optimism for the department's portfolio for the remainder of 2013. "Our pipeline of prospects is strong, in particular from companies in Mainland China and the US which have signalled their intent to set up or expand in Hong Kong," he said.

     He said that Hong Kong's international business hub status and its geographical location make it an ideal place for a broad spectrum of overseas companies to set up or expand their business. Mainland companies, for example, use Hong Kong as their springboard to "go global". Multinationals are choosing Hong Kong as the centre for their global operations, and the city is also attracting a rising number of entrepreneurs from around the world to tap into the opportunities it has to offer. Mr Galpin noted that InvestHK will this month roll out a global marketing programme (startmeup.hk), to encourage entrepreneur-led businesses to consider Hong Kong as the platform from which they can expand globally.

     At the press conference today, Mr Galpin was joined by the Vice President Global Operations and Head of Asia and Oceania Operations, Infiniti Motor Company Limited, Mr François Goupil de Bouillé; the Director and Chief Executive Officer of Changjiang Securities Holdings (HK) Limited, Mr Xu Jinwen; and the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of One Earth Designs, Mr Scot Frank. Each made their own remarks on Hong Kong's strengths and why they decided to set up their companies here, using the city as the platform from which to expand.

About InvestHK

     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 2013, InvestHK has completed over 2 900 investment projects creating more than 33 000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$76 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

Ends/Thursday, July 4, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:43

NNNN

Photo Photo Photo
Print this page